http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk This is the RSS feed for the News section of the Independent Community Pharmacist magazine en-us Copyright 2008 Communications International Group Ltd Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo228 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=228 The National Pharmacy Association has produced a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at helping members in England with patient nomination of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) Release 2. The NPA says that pharmacists must have a nomination SOP in place when seeking patient nominations. The NPA SOP is available for members to download from the NPA website www.npa.co.uk. The Association confirms that its position on the EPS national rollout is that it cannot support it until end users have had a “proper opportunity to scrutinise EPS 2 thoroughly”, and that pharmacists need “all the facts” to weigh up the risks and benefits of EPS. However, it adds that it has advised members to make preparations for using EPS. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo227 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=227 The next series of Numark continuing professional development workshops for pharmacists and technicians will cover the POM to P switch of Flomax (tamsulosin). The workshops will begin in February and will take place in 17 venues in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They will be run by Flomax Relief manufacturer Boehringer Ingelheim and count towards mandatory CPD submissions. Alongside these will be workshops on bladder weakness for pharmacy support staff run by SCA Hygiene Products (UK) Ltd. Numark says the latest workshops for support staff will give them technical knowledge, up-to-date information and also help with consultation skills to help encourage customers to discuss bladder weakness issues with less embarrassment. The workshops are free of charge for members, who can book a place through Numarknet.com. Non-members should contact Betty Avill on 01827 841 205. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo226 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=226 An alert has been issued to chief pharmacists and medical directors to ensure that vaccines are being stored at the correct temperature following 560 patients at two GP practices being recalled for repeat vaccinations due to incorrect storage. The National Patient Safety Agency sent out the alert for immediate action to be taken by all NHS organisations that hold vaccines that need to be stored at a specific temperature. According to the NPSA between June 2005 and April 2009  there were 260 reports of incidents of incorrect storage. In June 2009 a PCT audit of 96 GP practices showed that a “significant” proportion of vaccines were being stored at the wrong temperature. As a result, 560 patients had to have repeat vaccinations. Incidents reported to the NPSA include no temperature monitoring, inappropriate use of domestic fridges, delay in vaccine storage and inadequate or missing equipment. A recent survey carried out by Lec Medical, manufacturer of medical refrigeration suggested that 50 per cent of pharmacists are not using purpose built pharmacy fridges for storage. The survey also showed that 10 per cent are not checking the temperature of the fridge daily as recommended by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society guidelines.  Medical directors at NHS organisations are to lead the action with the chief pharmacists’ support. The NPSA has said they should ensure all departments and providers are aware of the relevant policies on cold storage of vaccines including having a designated person and deputies who have responsibility for handling and storing the vaccines. The NPSA is urging organisations to have procedures in place to ensure proper storage is taking place this include reviews of refrigeration temperature in a way which identifies whether a vaccine is being held at the appropriate temperature. NHS organisations should also have procedures in place for departments and providers to take “remedial action” if there is a problem with the storage temperature. Matt Newsome, head of marketing at Lec Medical, says: “Proper storage of vaccines is fundamental to ensuring patient safety. If drugs are not stored to the right conditions they will become ineffective, putting lives at risk.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo225 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=225 Numark has launched a mystery shopping service as part of its training initiative for counter assistants called Counter Excellence in Action. The service is available to member pharmacies for a yearly fee of £150 and involves quarterly mystery shopper visits. The mystery shoppers are “not role playing” says Numark but are recruited for specific reasons – for example smokers will be used when assessing a smoking cessation service. The members will be provided with a “detailed” report, which focuses on areas such as pharmacy exterior and interior, staff interaction with customer, how the particular enquiry was handled and lasting impressions of the pharmacy. Pharmacies that achieve high scores in these visits will receive certificates and “incentives”. For more information on the scheme contact Rachel Masters on 01827 841 265. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo224 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=224 The Royal Pharmaceutical has launched a “second phase” of its campaign to encourage members to vote in the Pharmacy Board elections. Each day up until the elections take place on January 22 the Society is putting a reason to vote on the Professional Leadership Body website, www.pharmacyplb.com. The reason given today is “The professional body will benefit from Boards with a strong mandate.” RPSGB chief executive, Jeremy Holmes says that these “historic” elections give members a chance to “shape” the leadership of the new professional body. He added that the Society has been working to get the elections to the “front of mind” of the members. The Society says that it will be checking with “as many pharmacists as possible” that they have “everything” they need to vote and it adds that it has also contacted stakeholder organisations who engage with or employ pharmacists to ask them to encourage voting and also to give them a “few minutes” during the day to vote. Members can vote by post or online until 12 noon on January 22. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo223 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=223 The Department of Health issued an alert on medication errors in care homes for older people urging PCTs to take action to reduce risks and the PSNC says community pharmacy can play a “key role” in this. The alert was issued through the Central Alerting System following a DH funded study carried out by Professor Nick Barber that found on any one day 7 out of 10 patients experienced at least one medication error. The alert calls on PCTs to work with their primary medical care contractors, pharmaceutical service providers and social care partners to “review the safety of local prescribing, dispensing, administration and monitoring arrangements” in care homes, and to develop plans for working jointly in the future. Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee chief executive Sue Sharpe said that community pharmacists “should play a key role” to ensure that older patients were not harmed by medication errors. She added that reviewing care home residents medication and the administration should be “a standardised pharmacy service” and that the PSNC will be talking to the National Health Service Executive on how this can be done. Mrs Sharpe also emphasised the need for community pharmacists to work with other health professionals to reduce medication errors in care homes. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo222 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=222 The Conservative party has launched an NHS manifesto that supports the idea of pharmacy carrying out more screening and minor ailments services. The manifesto states that if the Conservatives are voted into Government it will hand “everyone the power” to choose any healthcare provider as long as the provider meets NHS standards, including local pharmacists. Patients would also be given control over their own health records and be able to share them with any provider they choose. The Conservatives also say they would also refocus the Department of Health as the Department of “Public” Health and focusing on preventing illness and lifestyle-linked health problems such as obesity and smoking. The manifesto proposes that the NHS should be open to more independent and voluntary sector providers as long as can deliver services to a high standard.   Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo221 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=221 Pharmacy will be included in the new pilot telephone service that will help callers to find local health services. The Department of Health has announced a pilot scheme for a free number 111 that will give callers access to non-emergency healthcare 24 hours a day. The DH says that callers will be “assessed straight away” and directed to the appropriate locally available service or provided with advice and information. The new number will be piloted in 2010 by local NHS in England in the North East, the East of England and the East Midlands to assess whether it should be rolled out nationally. Neal Patel, Head of Corporate Communications at the National Pharmacy Association says that they have been “assured” of pharmacy’s inclusion in the scheme. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo219 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=219 The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee has announced that from April, 2010, changes will be made to its committee “composition” to reflect changes in NHS organisation and pharmacy ownership. According to the PSNC, it has already been decided that multiple pharmacies, defined as a group of six or more pharmacies, will be represented by 15 pharmacists and the National Pharmacy Association will nominate two independent pharmacists to the committee. Community Pharmacy Wales will appoint one pharmacist.  The PSNC has said that there will be a reduction in the regions that elect independent pharmacy contractors from 14 to 13. It says that this is to “seek a closer alignment with the strategic health authorities boundaries” and also it will “address the wishes” of London contractors for more “specific” representation. The PSNC says it hopes to achieve a “balance” between multiple and independent contractors. Further place allocation will be agreed in January, according to the PSNC.  It said that the changes followed a review of the committee by the PSNC’s Review and Audit Panel. PSNC chief executive, Sue Sharpe, said: “As the negotiating body recognised by the government, PSNC must ensure it adequately reflects the pharmacy contractors which it represents, and, following consideration of the panel’s deliberations, the Committee agreed that this would best be achieved by providing equal numbers of places for independent and multiple representatives.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo220 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=220 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society will be calling on the government to take “urgent action” on medicines shortages. The Society has said that it wants the Government to take steps to “resolve the immediate crisis” in medicines shortages, which, it says, have gott worse in recent months. It says that over 40 medicines are officially acknowledged as being in short supply, with even medicines for cancer treatment being difficult to find. Steve Churton, Society president, said: “Our member are spending long, fruitless hours chasing down supplies which are increasingly difficult to obtain.” The Society will also be “formally approaching” the Government to ask it to carry out an inquiry into supply issues to find a long term solution to the shortages. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo218 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=218 The Proprietary Association of Great Britain and Royal College of General Practitioners have announced a joint manifesto calling for the public to practice more self care to save the NHS a possible £2bn. The manifesto is entitled “The London Declaration for Self Care” and was announced at the PAGB annual conference recently. The joint manifesto is calling for Government, health service providers and professionals to “work towards changing attitudes” to encourage patients to self care and “break their habitual dependency on GPs”. According to IMS Health research, 20 per cent of GP consultations involve minor ailments which patients could take care of for themselves and 91 per cent of these consultations result in a prescription being given, which, IMS says, costs the NHS £371m for prescriptions and £1.5bn for GP time with an annual total cost of nearly £2bn.   Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo217 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=217 Neal Patel, MRPharmS, has been appointed Head of Corporate Communications at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Mr Patel will take up the role in mid-December and he says he is looking forward to working with the team at the Society and for an organisation that has pledged to put members’ needs at the heart of everything it does. He adds that he will be working with pharmacists to “create more opportunities” for their role to be highlighted by the media. Mr Patel is currently the head of communications at the National Pharmacy Association. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo215 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=215 Dr Keith Ridge, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Department of Health, has confirmed that guidelines for Crown Prosecution Service decision making in dispensing error situations could be published 'early in the New Year'. In a letter sent to All Party Pharmacy Group chairman, Howard Stoate, MP, Dr Ridge states that a “full review” of the Medicines Act and other legislation is taking place and that it includes considerations of changes which might be made “to the law to clarify the issue” of dispensing errors.. According to Dr Ridge, “in the interim” the Crown Prosecution Service and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency have met and “negotiations” are at an “advanced stage” over guidelines on dispensing errors and when criminal charges “may be considered”. In his letter Dr Ridge said that draft guidelines are currently being reviewed by the CPS, MHRA and their solicitors. He said that it is ‘envisaged’ that the guidance could be published early in the New Year. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society says that it welcomes the guidance and Society President Steve Churton says: “I’ve been truly heartened by the way in which pharmacists have rallied together to fight this cause and this milestone is a testament to everyone who made sure their voice was heard.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo216 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=216 Numark has launched a new training programme, called Counter Excellence, for counter assistants. Free monthly training modules are aimed at counter assistants whot have completed their medicines counter assistance programme. Mimi Lau, Numark’s director of professional and training services, says: “Many of our members’ counter staff will have completed their statutory training many years ago. The level of ongoing training is sporadic and informal so we wanted to structure this by delivering short bursts of education every month.” The modules will cover “specific” conditions such as children’s health and will include information on identifying basic problems, basic, product advice, and how to use point of sale materials. The modules also have a question and answer section to test counter assistants’ knowledge. For more information or to sign up for Counter Excellence, Rachel Masters can be contacted on 01827 841 265. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo214 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=214 Leyla Hannbeck has been appointed Head of Information at the National Pharmacy Association. She will take up the post from January 4, 2010 and she says: “ The National Pharmacy Association’s information department is the first port of call for many members looking for answers on pharmacy practice related questions. I am delighted to be joining a team who provide such an excellent and much needed service to community pharmacy.” Mrs Hannbeck joins the NPA from her role as pharmacy manager of the Eilbeck J F Chemist group in Co.Durham. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo213 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=213 SSL International has launched a new Durex programme for healthcare professionals to play a “significant” role in sexual health. The Catalyst programme involves three initiatives. The first, entitled “Excellence” supports training in sexual health, the second, called “Innovation”, is aimed at helping individuals or teams implement new sexual health ideas, and the third, called “Leadership” will help “develop” leaders in sexual health into “role models of tomorrow”. The first initiative was launched at a Family Planning Association gala dinner on November 12. It comprises a training course called “Sexual Health and Young People – an introduction” that was designed and is being run by Brook and the FPA for Durex. The course will be available in London and Birmingham in April, June and September, 2010. Applications are now being accepted for 90 places. Applicants will need to “satisfy” a series of selection criteria and explain how the Catalyst programme will benefit them and also how they will eventually implement the things they learn on the course. The second initiative in the programme will be launched next March and will consist of bursaries for individuals or teams to “put into practice” sexual health ideas. For more information on the Catalyst programme go to www.durexHCP.co.uk. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo211 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=211 A report from the Men’s Health Forum suggests that men are reluctant to use pharmacy services, viewing them as more suited to women. The report, “Racks of make up and no spanners”, was funded by the Department of Health, the National Pharmacy Association and Pfizer Ltd. It reveals that “most” men find the “public nature” of pharmacy is more suited to women and that men are more reluctant to share their health concerns with others. According to the report, “most” men have seen consultation rooms in pharmacy but were unaware of their function. Dr Ian Banks, MHF president, says: “Our report shows that simply adding a consulting room at the back of the pharmacy is not enough. Pharmacists need to communicate better with men about their services and let men know that they can see the pharmacist for health advice.” The MHF says that pharmacists and pharmacy teams can target men by using “male-specific” information, exploring “hooks” to engage men, and training staff in communicating with men. The MHF also says that communicating with men should be included in courses for undergraduates and postgraduates. It suggests taking pharmacy knowledge and skills out to men at workplaces and sports venues. A new “mini manual” called “Self Care” has been launched by the Men’s Health Forum and funded by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. It gives advice to men on their health and where to go for more information. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo210 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=210 Independent Pharmacy Award winners: Pictured at the award presentations at Brown’s Hotel, London, on November 4 are Justine Foster (collecting the Advocate of the Year Award on behalf of her husband Stephen Foster of the Pierremont Pharmacy in Broadstairs, Kent), Sandra Gidley, MP, who presented the awards, Michael Burr of the Primary Care Pharmacy, Nuneaton (Independent Pharmacist of the Year); Raj Rohilla, whose transformed pharmacy in Battersea earned the Pharmacy Business of the Year award, Douglas Simpson (editor of Independent Community Pharmacist) and Joanna Rose of G. R. Pharmacy, Northfield, Birmingham (Key Staff award). The awards are arranged by ICP with the support of the Independent Pharmacy Federation. The awards were sponsored by Numark Ltd, The National Pharmacy Association, Reckitt Benckiser and P3 Magazine. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo208 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=208 Numark has produced a “new” merchandising technique designed to help pharmacists maintain “specialist merchandising” after the “experts” have left the pharmacy. The new technique involves placing a label that has been printed with the logo of a brand on the shelf to show where that particular brand should be placed. The stickers will not be visible as they would be underneath the actual product. The technique was developed from the idea that when “specialist” merchandisers go into a pharmacy to merchandise the store they use “beacon brands” to highlight a particular category to shoppers. For example Gaviscon would be used to show where the gastrointestinal category is in store. Numark says the beacon brand is usually placed at eye level to help customers “navigate” the fixture. Numark merchandising manager, Emma Charlesworth, says that, after the merchandising team goes into a pharmacy sales are monitored and initially there is an uplift, but that after “several” weeks sales drop back down again. She says that Numark visited pharmacies to get an idea of why there was a drop in sales and found that pharmacies were “repositioning beacon brands incorrectly”. The labels have been developed to show pharmacy staff where to place the brands without the “pain” of having to remember or refer to planograms. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo209 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=209 Procter & Gamble PharmacyCare and the Clearblue brand have a programme aimed at educating consumers about the ovulation testing category through pharmacy. The Wish for a Baby programme is aimed at training pharmacists and pharmacy staff about the Clearblue ovulation and fertility products. This will allow them to advise the one per cent of  fertile women who are trying to conceive on the best product for them to use to test when the right time is for them to try conceiving, according to P&G. The company adds that the new programme will help grow the category. In the first month of the programme being used in pharmacies there is said to have been a 26 per cent increase in category sales. The Clearblue range of products includes the Clearblue Ovulation test, Clearblue Digital Ovulation test and Clearblue Fertility Monitor. The products test for hormones present that show the best two or six day period for a woman to conceive. According to P&G, 33 per cent of women are aware of ovulation tests and one in two are trying to conceive at the wrong time. That is why, it says, it offers these tests. But Jo Dee, P&G commercial manager, says that it can be confusing for women as to which test is right for them. She adds: “A little bit of explanation is needed to help women understand these products”.   The Wish for a Baby programme provides Continuing Professional Development accredited training for pharmacists, product training materials for pharmacy staff and “informative” display materials. Since the launch of the programme earlier this year, 146 independent pharmacists have signed up. For more information contact P&G PharmacyCare merchandising team at Ceuta Healthcare on 01202 780 550. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo207 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=207 From December 2009 Lifescan OneTouch range of products will be supplied to pharmacies by three wholesalers. The three suppliers are Alliance Healthcare Distribution, AAH Pharmaceuticals and Phoenix Healthcare. Lifescan UK said that it has decided on the new distribution arrangement for its OneTouch brand to “ensure greater control and visibility of the supply chain from company through to patients.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo206 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=206 Pharmacist Support has entered into a partnership with the charity Action on Addiction to bring its expertise to the Pharmacist Support Health Support Programme. Action on Addiction is a charity that works “across the addiction field” in prevention, research, treatment, education and also family support. The charity will now be running the Pharmacist Support’s Health Support Programme freephone line, which is available 24 hours a day. The Health Support Programme is a “specialist” service to help those experiencing problems with alcohol or drugs and with other dependencies. Pharmacist Support charity manager,Diane Leicester says: “To ensure that the charity can fully meet our client’s needs we feel the time is right to join forces with Action on Addiction – a specialist support provider whose holistic approach mirrors that of Pharmacist Support.” Nick Barton, chief executive of Action on Addiction, adds: “It is only sensible to provide support to those who play such an important part in the nation’s healthcare.” The Health Support Programme freephone number is 0808 168 5132. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo205 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=205 The National Pharmacy Association is providing pharmacists with materials to download to help promote pharmacy during this year’s Ask Your Pharmacist week and National Obesity Week. The NPA is providing NOW and AYP posters, question and answer documents, press release templates and also a letter template for the AYP week for pharmacist to send to their local MP to encourage them to attend the launch of the week at the House of Commons on November 4. The materials can be downloaded from the member area of the NPA site, www.npa.co.uk/members. Ask Your Pharmacist Week takes place from November 9-15 and will focus on seven services available from pharmacy, including smoking cessation and pharmacist prescribing.  National Obesity Week will run from November 2-8. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo204 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=204 Raj Patel, independent pharmacist and ICP columnist, has carried out his first ’flu vaccination as part of the National Pharmacy Association accredited programme. Raj carried out the vaccination on Thursday October 12 at 1pm. He said that although he was “apprehensive” about doing the first vaccination he found it “quick and easy” to do and once he had done it he says he was on a “high” because he had done something new. He advises other contractors to get on with doing the vaccinations as it is “the way forward for pharmacy”. Mr Patel is offering a walk-in service for ’flu vaccinations. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo203 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=203 The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has issued a drug alert advising that a batch of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination that was quarantined this week following the death of a 14-year-old girl in Coventry. The MHRA says there will be further investigation into whether there was a link between the vaccination and the girl’s death but it says at this point “the safety of the vaccine is not in question and no link can currently be made”. Healthcare professionals are being asked to return unused stock of the Cervarix vaccine, batch number AHPVA043BB, to the manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline. The MHRA says that the National HPV vaccination programme will continue. Professor Kent Woods, MHRA chief executive, says: “More thank 1.4 million doses of HPV vaccine have now been administered in the United Kingdom and there have only been a little more than two thousand reports of adverse reactions.” Professor Woods adds that these reported reactions have been “relatively mild” and the amount of reactions is what would be “normally expected” with a vaccination programme. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo202 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=202 Alliance Healthcare has announced an increase in fuel surcharge to £2.50 per month. Since March this year Alliance Healthcare reduced the surcharge to zero but it says that due to increasing diesel prices and fuel duty it must increase the surcharge to “continue to provide the high levels of service that our customers expect”. The charges will be applied from October 1. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo200 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=200 The National Pharmacy Association has appointed Nicola Rossi as director of communications. Ms Rossi is currently director of communications at BT health where she has managed the BT’s NHS contracts for three years. She will take up the post of director of communications at the NPA in December. Ms Rossi, says: “The NPA has a legitimate voice on a whole range of healthcare issues. My job will be to ensure that voice is heard, on behalf of community pharmacy.” NPA chief executive John Turk says Ms Rossi has been  appointed to strengthen the NPA’s  “representation with our most influential stakeholders.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo201 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=201 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain has provided guidance to “clarify” activities that can take place when a responsible pharmacist is and is not present in a pharmacy. The Society says that it hopes this new guidance will “assist” pharmacists, superintendents and pharmacy owners in preparing for the responsible pharmacist regulations coming into effect October 1. The guidance sets out a list of “key” activities and “clarifies” whether they require the presence and supervision of the responsible pharmacist. The guidance was developed with the UK health departments and the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland. As a result of these discussions, it has been agreed that further work will be undertaken to review and if necessary clarify the regulations. The guidance can be downloaded from the Society’s website at www.rpsgb.org/pdfs/rprequirementsguid.pdf. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo199 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=199 The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee has announced that an increase of £87m in pharmacy contract funding for 2009/10 has been negotiated with the Department of Health. The PSNC says that this is a 3.9 per cent increase on last year’s funding and that the total funding available will be £2,300m. It adds that the Department of Health has also agreed to additional funding provision for one-off costs that contractors are facing, including EPS release 2 and information governance. Sue Sharpe, PSNC chief executive, said: “The minister has sought to protect levels of funding in the period before the results of the joint PSNC/DH cost of service inquiry can identify needs for the future.”  The inquiry will report in 2010, says the PSNC. The fees and allowances will remain the same, including the fee per medicines use review, says the PSNC. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo198 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=198 Numark has carried out a membership survey to find out to what extent independent pharmacists are performing MURs. The survey was of members who have fewer than five outlets and found that two thirds of respondents were carrying out an medicine use review service but only six per cent achieved the 400 target last year. The survey found that nearly half had delivered fewer than 100 MURs and a quarter were delivering between 100 and 200.. Of those who said they were not delivering the service, 32 per cent were not in the position do so because they did not have accreditation or a consultation room and 30 per cent cited a lack of time as the biggest obstacle. Other reasons included a lack of knowledge of MURs amongst patients, a lack of staff engagement and GP resistance. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo197 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=197 According to the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, from October 1 there will be a 9.4 pence reduction on average item reimbursement prices in Category M. This reduction is in response to the Department of Health’s  Medicines Margins Survey which, it says, shows that a “significant excess margin” was “achieved’” by pharmacy contractors beyond the £500m limit. The PSNC adds that the Department of Health has said that it will provide “substantial additional funding’” towards costs pharmacy contractors will be faced with, including business continuity planning. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo196 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=196 AAH says that its seasonal ’flu vaccination programme training days have been “totally” sold out. The company says that 300 pharmacists have signed up to the training days taking place during September Ajit Malhi, AAH head of marketing services, says: “Uptake has been overwhelming for 2009.” The service is run in partnership with Novartis vaccines under a patient group direction (PGD) and pharmacists attending the training days will be shown how to administer vaccine by injection by independent nurse trainers.  The company also offers marketing and legal support for pharmacists offering the seasonal ’flu service. According to AAH, a 2008 patient survey, completed by 1,000 patients, showed that 100 per cent of patients would go back to pharmacy in the future for vaccinations if the service were available. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo195 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=195 Numark’s free training workshops for pharmacists and support staff will be focussing on two key issues, says the company. Numark says the pharmacist and technician workshop will focus on managing dispensing errors and minimising risks. The support staff workshop will be aimed at helping counter staff give advice to customers on children’s medicines and ensure their knowledge of the latest guidelines is up to date. The workshops, for Numark members and their staff, start in September and will take place in 16 locations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They will take place in the evening from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. For more information or to book call Betty Avill on 01827 841 205. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo194 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=194 Alliance Healthcare has launched a new flu vaccination service through which independent pharmacies would offer the vaccinations under a Patient Group Directive. Pharmacists can register for the service for a fee of £379 plus VAT, and will attend a one day training course. The courses will run from August 23 on Sundays and throughout September. The training will include the administration of the vaccine, anaphylaxis management and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Pharmacists signing up to the service will have access to a pharmacist and patient telephone support line and Alliance Healthcare will provide them with consumer marketing materials. Sanjay Pathak, Alliance Healthcares head of professional services says: Pharmacy flu vaccination services are becoming increasingly popular and represent a fantastic additional income stream for community pharmacies. He adds that pharmacists would have the chance to upskill and use this as a spring board to offering more private patient services. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo193 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=193 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is urging Muslims to seek advice on taking medication during Ramadan. The Society says that people with chronic conditions that require medications who choose to fast during Ramadan (some people who are ill are exempt from fasting) could be “disrupting” treatment schedules and the absorption of “active” ingredients that depend on food ingestion. The Society says that those who decide to fast should talk with their pharmacist about taking their medication during this time. RPSGB spokesperson and pharmacist Waqas Ahmed says: “Possible solutions may be suggested to help people keep their fast while continuing to take their mediation in a safe and effective manner.” He adds that a pharmacist can also offer, in some cases, an alternative medicine formulation such as a sustained release product so that a medicine only requires one daily dose. Ramadan begins on August 21 and ends on September 19 and involves fasting from sunrise to sunset. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo192 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=192 Medway School of Pharmacy has topped the National Student Survey. The survey questions students in their final year of undergraduate courses and 97 per cent of Medway students said they were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their education. Professor Alistair Mathie of Medway School, said: “This is a fantastic result. It would be a huge achievement for any institution but its especially rewarding as we are a new school.” The school was established in 2004 and is run jointly by the Universities of Greenwich and Kent. It has 60 academic staff and over 600 students. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo190 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=190 A study published in the British Journal of Health Pyschology suggests that patient information leaflets are leading to confusion over side effects. Researchers questioned 285 visitors to CancerCare.org.uk, the Cancer Research UK’s patient website, and found that patients were overestimating side effects to up to 50 per cent because of “unclear patient leaflets”.   Research author Dr Peter Knapp says that there is concern that this confusion could lead to some people deciding to not take medicines rather than risk having a side effect. According to the study, patients were “interpreting” the risk of side effects differently when leaflets included percentages — for example “20 per cent of patients will have side effects” — and the use of the words “common”, “uncommon” and “very common”. The researchers said patients found it easier to understand risks when described as “one in five people”. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo191 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=191 Avicenna is holding its golf tournament for members at the beginning of September at two top golf courses — Ashridge Golf Club, Little Gaddesden and Foxhills Golf Club, Ottershaw, Surrey. The company says that these courses regularly appear in the top 100 UK golf courses. Organiser Raj Haria (Avicenna sale and business development director), says that the tournament is very popular and the company is looking forward to an outstanding event. The tournament is open to Avicenna members only and will include a lunch, 18 holes and dinner and presentation. Members can obtain an application form by calling Duncan Smeaton at the Avicenna head office on 0208 651 9933. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo189 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=189 AlbaPharm members are now able to offer customers travel insurance, which, the company says, could be “up to 26 per cent cheaper than supermarkets and large providers”. The travel insurance  will be “open” to customers who may have previously found it difficult to get travel insurance, such as older people or those who have been ill, says the company. AlbaPharm adds that the Independent traveller option will “offer protection” for policyholders who may be affected by swine flu, either contracting the virus when on holiday abroad or having to cancel their holiday altogether. The company said that it is one of the “few” products which offer this swine ’flu protection. The new insurance from is said to complement other travel services offered in pharmacy. David Currie, AlbaPharm chief executive, says: “Our members are increasingly involved in providing travel clinics to customers and enabling them to access affordable, reputable, and comprehensive travel insurance seemed like a natural step in helping them provide the best service possible.” The travel insurance is being provided in conjunction with NPA Insurance and The Xact Group. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo188 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=188 The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has announced that products containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine will remain as Pharmacy (P) medicines. Steve Churton, Royal Pharmaceutical Society President, says: “The decision is a ringing endorsement of the vigilance pharmacists have shown in monitoring and controlling the sale of these products.” In 2007, on the advice of the Commission on Human Medicines following public consultation, the MHRA announced that pharmacy would have until 2009 to adhere to tighter controls on products containing these ingredients and demonstrate that the risk of misuse of these ingredients in the illegal manufacture of methylamphetamine could be “contained”. The MHRA says it is “pleased” with the measures taken and they have been “successful” in containing the risk. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo187 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=187 Actavis has added four new courses to its Actavis Academy online “e-learning” website. One is a second “approved” course on the Drug Tariff, while the others focus on foundation trusts, payment by results and specialised commissioning. The company says that it hopes the courses will allow “pharmacists to make the most of the business and ensure pharmacy staff remain at the forefront of today’s NHS and clinical knowledge.” The company adds that more than 800 people have registered with the Academy and 200 courses have been completed. A feedback button has also been added to the site as a way for pharmacy teams to “request specific courses”.  Registration with the Academy is free at www.actavisacademy.co.uk. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo186 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=186 AAH Pharmaceuticals has launched a new initiative, “All about Health”  to raise the profile of pharmacy and the services offered in independents. The company said that the new initiative is aimed at championing pharmacy to the UK public. It said that in a recent survey carried out by the Patients Association, which is supporting the initiative, it was revealed that 46 per cent of those questioned could not remember having ever sought advice from a pharmacist. Ajit Malhi (professional services manager, AAH Pharmaceuticals) said at the launch that AAH wanted to show the public how “convenient and accessible” pharmacy could be for advice and services.   Mark James, AAH managing director, added: “Pharmacy itself needs promoting”. The company said the campaign will include national consumer advertising, including in such publications as men’s magazine FHM. The advertising will be seasonal, highlighting pharmacies cough and cold services in the winter and allergy services in the summer. “All About Health” also includes a new website where consumers can register and get an online health check. Also available will be advice on improving health and creating a “health action plan”. There are a symptom checker, information on health issues such as blood pressure and diabetes and a pharmacy locator.    AAH is also offering pharmacists help in promoting their pharmacies and the services they offer, with the means to build their own websites. For £10 a month pharmacists can have their own site, which will contain information on their pharmacy and will also be updated with materials by AAH. The company said that this allowed the sites to remain up-to-date and pharmacists to market themselves without taking up a large amount of their time, thus giving them “more marketing power to compete” in the marketplace. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo185 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=185 The National Pharmacy Association has called for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain to hold the retention fees at the present level for 2010. The Society has proposed a rise of 2.2 per cent.  The NPA has said that taking into consideration the “financial pressures on pharmacy businesses” the rise in fees is “inappropriate”. The NPA says that, in light of the 40 per cent increase to fees in 2008, this further rise has no “justification”. It also says that, with “many employers” funding their pharmacist and technician employee fees, a rise in those fees would put pressure on them. Margaret Peycke, NPA external relations manager, says: “NPA members already coping with a challenging economic environment are not in a position to comfortably absorb such increases.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo184 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=184 The Department of Health has announced that England’s National Pandemic ’Flu Service could be up and running by the end of next week. The DH said this was in response to the “rapid rise” in the number of swine ’flu cases but that the deadline of the end of next week for the service to be available is subject to ‘rigorous testing’ of the service. The service includes a dedicated website and call centres and is aimed at being able “quickly” to tell those with ’flu symptoms if they have swine ’flu. The patient will then be given an “authorisation number” which a “’flu friend”, a person without swine ’flu, can take to an antiviral collection point to pick up antivirals. The DH says that it is important for those who are vulnerable to infections, such as people with chronic lung, kidney or heart disease, under 5s, over 65s and pregnant women, to use the service as soon as they experience symptoms and keep in touch with their GP. It is advising parents of children under one with symptoms to contact a GP immediately. This service is aimed at getting antivirals to patients as soon as possible as well as freeing up doctor’s time to treat other illnesses, said the Department of Health. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo183 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=183 AAH Pharmaceuticals has launched a new web based toolkit to help pharmacists and pharmacy staff with the requirements for clinical governance. The company said that it has had “many requests” from customers for help with clinical governance procedures. The “interactive” service is available now,  and AAH said it is designed to aid pharmacy “manage the risk management procedures set out in the essential services guidelines”. The service is available for an annual fee of £75, or £50 for AAH Link and Healthwatch customers. The toolkit includes a primary care organisation visit checklist, standard operating procedures, templates and forms for the various areas of clinical governance, and practice leaflets. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo182 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=182 The first National Pharmacy Association ’flu vaccination training day took place at the Crown Moran Hotel on July 9. Mount Elgon pharmacy owner and Independent Community Pharmacist columnist Raj Patel attended the course. He said: “It was an excellent and very hands on practical day. Superbly run and putting all pharmacists in a position to successfully deliver ’flu vaccinations”. The NPA launched a service in June this year that allows NPA members to offer customers 'seasonal' 'flu vaccinations under a private Patient Group Direction. Mr Patel said that the topics covered by the course included vaccine administration and recognition and management of anaphylaxis. Picture from back row: Mark Channell – ECG Ltd instructor Rikta Desai – NPA Business Development Dr Bill Holmes – Medical director, The Health Station Holly Edmends – ECG Ltd instructor Raj Patel Amish Patel – Hodgson Pharmacy Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo181 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=181 Health Secretary Andy Burnham has announced the UK will no longer be trying to contain Swine ’flu but will be moving to the treatment phase. Mr Burnham said, in a statement in the House of Commons, that the national focus will now be on treating the “increasing numbers” of people suffering from swine ’flu. He added:  “Cases are doubling every week and, on this trend, we could see over 100,000 cases per day by the end of August.” According to the Directgov website, the treatment phase includes diagnosis by GPs based on symptoms rather than waiting for laboratory testing; tracing of people who have been in contact with sufferers will stop and people who may have been in exposed to swine ’flu will not be given anti-viral drugs, but anyone diagnosed with the virus will be offered anti-virals.   Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo180 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=180 Health Minister Ann Keen has announced the appointment of Mr Robert Nicholls CBE as General Pharmaceutical Council chair. Mr Nicholls will hold the post for four years. He will currently be known as “chair designate” until the appointment has been formalised by legislation being enacted, namely, the General Pharmaceutical Council (Constitution) Order 2009 and the Pharmacy Order 2009. Mr Nicholls said he was “delighted and honoured” to be chosen for the role and “excited” to be involved in the start of a new pharmacy organisation. Mr Nicholls was awarded the CBE for services to health care in 1995 and the Department of Health said that he has 40 years” experience working in the National Health Service. The DH added that the 13 remaining posts on the GPhC council will be filled later in the year. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo179 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=179 Bristol-Myers Squibb has announced that  it is the latest company to “simplify its wholesaling arrangements” by appointing Alliance Healthcare (Distribution) and AAH Pharmaceuticals as its wholesale partners.   The new arrangement will come into effect on August 1 and applies to distribution in England, Wales and Scotland. Though BMS has said the two companies will handle the “majority” of its products distribution, it still plans to deliver “a few selected” product directly to dispensing customers and homecare customers using its “own logistical arrangements”. Richard Marsh, BMS director of external affairs and market access, said the new arrangement will mean a “more efficient and streamlined” supply chain. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo178 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=178 Britannia Pharmacies and NHS Barking and Dagenham have launched a joint prescription bag initiative to help encourage patients with cancer symptoms to seek advice from their doctor. The bags will be printed with “signs and symptoms” of breast, lung and bowel cancer and patients are being asked to “tick” any symptoms they may be suffering from and take the bag to their local GP for advice. The bags have been launched in Barking and Dagenham as part of a “healthy communities” collaborative project. Britannia Pharmacies is a chain of independent community pharmacies in East London and Essex. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo177 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=177 The Department of Health has announced it plans to amend the Medicines Act 1968 with regards to the criminalisation of dispensing errors. According to the Society it could take up to two years to make the amendments. It said that during this time, to prevent “the possibility of inappropriate prosecution for dispensing errors,” it would be working with the Crown Prosecution Service to develop “interim guidelines” for CPS officers dealing with dispensing error issues. Society president Steve Churton said the Society would be working with the Department of Health and Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to “deliver a workable alternative to the existing law.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo176 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=176 Voting for the proposed changes to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s charter changes to bring it into effect as the new professional body will take place from Monday June 22 to Monday July 20. Members can vote by post, internet, telephone and text and in order for the body to come into effect in 2010 in an “appropriate form” two thirds of those voting will have to vote “Yes” to the changes. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo175 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=175 The World Health Organisation has declared a swine flu pandemic. The alert level has been raised from Phase 5 to Phase 6 by the WHO. Phase 6 is defined as the human to human spread of a disease between more than one WHO region. Swine flu has been reported in 74 countries worldwide including 800 cases in the UK. According to the Department of Health the pandemic alert refers to the geographical spread of the disease and not its severity. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo174 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=174 Forms to register for the National Pharmacy Association pre-registration trainee pharmacist programme for 2009-110 can now be downloaded from the NPA website. A pre-registration tutor training day for pharmacist who have trainees taking part in the NPA trainee course will take place on June 26. Sabina Khanom, assistant head of NPA education and training, is encouraging all tutors to attend. The day will cover the role of the tutor, performance standards, performance review and feedback and problems that might be encountered while acting as a tutor. Pre-registration trainee study courses will take place in three locations — St Albans, Birmingham and Wakefield at a cost of £1,500,  which includes resources and accommodation. The closing date for bookings is September 7. More information is available on the NPA website at www.npa.co.u Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo173 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=173 Numark has issued members with “top tips” for planning for a possible swine ’flu pandemic. Tony Mottram, Numark commercial director, says that, although most of the tips being offered “amount to sound business advice” he feels it is important for independent pharmacists to plan ahead for potential pandemics. He also adds that independent can “often feel isolated at times like this” but that Numark can act as a head office for members, as a point of support and information. The tips from Numark include planning and preparing ahead now for how a business will cope with a possible pandemic, raising hygiene standards to a high level, keeping staff informed of plans and ensuring staff are able to cope with tasks such as being key holders and opening and closing the pharmacy in order to cover for any absences that may occur. Numark also suggests thinking about how a pharmacy might work with other independent pharmacies in the area to share resources and staff. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo172 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=172 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society says that pharmacists are concerned about recording dispensing errors following the sentencing of locum Elizabeth Lee. The Society is currently carrying out a survey of pharmacists on its register about the recording in a log of dispensing errors as part of its actions to get dispensing errors decriminalised. It says that early results suggest that pharmacists are reluctant to record errors and that 42.8 per cent are ‘seriously concerned’ about doing so The Society says that it is “escalating’” pressure on the government to decriminalise dispensing errors, including giving support to an online petition. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo171 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=171 The National Pharmacy Association has named Ian Facer as the new chairman for 2009-2010. Mr Facer has been on the NPA Board of Management since 2004, representing North-West members. Mr Facer says that there are certain “key areas” of work for the NPA to focus on. These include raising the profile of the NPA, implementing the Pharmacy White Paper, and “supporting members” with legislative changes such as the responsible pharmacist. He takes over the role of chairman from Paul Bennett. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo170 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=170 Community pharmacy could be a biometric service provider on the high street, says the National Pharmacy Association chief executive, John Turk. Mr Turk spoke about community pharmacies role in the delivery of the National Identity Service identity cards and passports with biometric details, at a breakfast meeting attended by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to discuss how the public will be able to apply for these new forms of identification. Mr Turk says the NPA wants to “ensure” community pharmacy has the “opportunity” to offer biometric recording services to customers. He declares: “Community pharmacies are located in the heart of their communities, so they help make the process of applying for an identity card or passport especially convenient.”      Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo168 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=168 Both the National Pharmacy Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society have responded to the reports of Swine Influenza spreading through Mexico, parts of the US and Spain. The NPA has sent an “alert” to members which gives advice on the information and advice pharmacists should give to members of the public concerned about symptoms. The NPA has also issued a list of sources of further information that can be seen below. The Society has said it is “keeping a watching brief” but is emphasising pharmacy’s role in public health. David Pruce, director of policy and communications, said: “As trusted health professionals, pharmacists can provide straightforward, high quality information and advice to worried patients.” Both organisations are telling pharmacists to follow advice from health organisations such as the Health Protection Agency and Department of Health, which are advising anyone who has travelled to affected areas to monitor their health and if they display any symptoms to stay at home and contact their doctor by telephone.   European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control http://ecdc.europa.eu/ Health Protection Agency http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1240646410227?p=1231252394302   Health Protection Scotland http://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/ WHO http://www.who.int/csr/don/en/ Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo169 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=169 Numark has announced the appointment of Tony Mottram as managing director. Mr Mottram has been in the role of commercial director at Numark and will be taking over the role of managing director from June 1st. He replaces interim managing director John D’arcy who has been in the role for 17 months and will be returning to his position as commercial director of Rowlands pharmacy full-time.   Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo167 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=167 GlaxoSmithKline's weight loss aid alli (Orlistat 60mg) goes on sale for the first time in UK pharmacies today. The aid is “not a magic bullet” in the fight against obesity, says James Hallet, general manager at GSK — rather, it is a way to help those “committed” to losing weight with a “comphrehensive” support programme to lose 50 per cent more weight. The launch of the product is accompanied by a pharmacy training pack that includes information on how to initiate a conversation about weight loss with a person. GSK has also been running training workshops with  “scenario based training” for pharmacists. There is also a starter guide for patients. This has a food diary, recipes and a quick guide to the product and the programme. GSK says that the starter guide is something that they would have liked to have included in the actual product pack but were unable to do so due to licensing constraints. Pharmacist Sid Dajani was the first pharmacist to offer alli in a trial of 60 patients this year. He says that , of the 60 patients involved, there have only been six who dropped out of the programme. This was mostly due to “other medical issues”. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has published guidance to support pharmacists providing alli. The guidance focuses on indications for the drug, “important points to consider when counter prescribing”, how the product works and how it should be taken. Both the Society and the National Pharmacy Association have expressed their support for the launch of alli. Both highlighted the opportunity for pharmacists to use the product to encourage the public to lose weight and adopt a healthy lifestyle. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo165 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=165 Numark has launched a care home toolkit for its members. The toolkit is designed to provide information on the care home “market” and how to set up and manage contracts with care homes. Mimi Lau, Numark director of professional services, said: “It is crucial that independents have a professional approach to care home contracts so the business is not vulnerable to an approach from a competitor.” Ms Lau also added that this business opportunity is not “appropriate” for all independents but those with “a 100 hour contract or low dispensing volumes” might consider this area to grow their business. The toolkit includes advice on financial models, how to approach care homes and “close the deal” and template administration forms. For more information contact Numark on 01827 841 200. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo164 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=164 Free NHS Health Checks for those aged between 40 and 74 years in England will launch from this Wednesday April 1. The checks are part of a national programme which the Government hopes will help prevent heart attacks and strokes and could save 650 lives a year, it said. The health checks are to be organised by the local PCT “designing their own local implementation plans” which the Government said could include GP surgeries, health centres and pharmacies. Full implementation of the scheme is expected to be in place by 2012 to 2013. The checks will include questions regarding the patient’s health and medical history, a blood test for cholesterol and “in some cases” glucose levels, height and weight measurements, a follow up assessment to offer advice and recommendations for the patient to reduce risk. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo163 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=163 UniChem has announced to its employees that there will be a “reorganisation” of its business. UniChem said that between 220 and 225 roles within the company may be affected by this reorganisation but that at this stage what the reorganisation will involve is still under discussion and could involve redeployment of staff within the company or voluntary redundancy. The statement from the company said that this action is a move to “provide excellent service levels to customers while managing its cost base.” It also said that the activity in the company will be focused on improving its operations and support offices and its short line business Cordia Healthcare. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo162 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=162 Procter and Gamble have announced a new dedicated merchandising team as part of its PharmacyCare initiative. The merchandising team is being set up in conjunction with Ceuta Healthcare and the company said that it will “assess” pharmacies retail business and advise on category layout, so that it is “clear and intuitive”, as well as the layout of the whole retail area of the pharmacy, to encourage “cross catergory” sales. Sat Bhogal, a pharmacy owner in Bristol, comments that, since the merchandising team came into his pharmacy, he has seen a 12 per cent increase in sales of men’s products and a 20 per cent increase in the baby section. He has said that it has also encouraged him to make his own changes behind the counter himself by arranging related products together in blocks. For more information contact Ceuta Healthcare on 01202 780 550. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo161 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=161 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has issued a reminder that the consultation on the establishment of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) closes March 9. The consultation began on December 9, 2008, launched by the Department of Health on behalf of England and Wales and the Scottish government on the proposals in the draft pharmacy order 2009. When established the GPhC will be responsible for the statutory regulation of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. The consultation can be seen on the department of health website. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo160 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=160 Due to a 'technical problem' the deadline for response submissions on the consultation on the changes to the professional standards for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in positions of authority has been extended. The deadline has been moved from March 6 to March 19 at 12noon. The problem occurred with the submissions of online responses on the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s website and those who did submit an online response before February 20 are being asked to resubmit these. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo158 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=158 The Government has announced the launch of the newest phase in its campaign to prevent antibiotic resistance by reminding the public 'antibiotics do not treat viral infections”. This phase of the “Get well soon – without antibiotics” campaign will include advertisements in newspapers and magazines and posters. The Department of Health said that this campaign is aimed at reducing “unnecessary requests for antibiotics from patients”. Chief medical officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson, who launched this phase of the campaign, said: “Using antibiotics when they are not necessary will increase resistance to them.” He went on to say that patients should seek advice from pharmacists on over-the-counter remedies for cold and ’flu symptoms. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo159 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=159 The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced a 50 per cent increase in reports from patients a year after the introduction of patient reporting as a “recognised” part of the Yellow Card scheme. The MHRA said that in the past year there have been 2,500 Yellow Cards from patients with “double” the number of online reports. The scheme is designed to highlight any side effects or other “issues” arising from the use of a medicine.  According to the MHRA in “recent years” 15-16% of all reports received have come from pharmacists. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo157 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=157 The Press Complaints Commission has upheld complaints against two newspapers made by the Pharmacists’ Defence Association. The two newspapers, the Tameside Advertiser and the Manchester Evening News, both alleged a woman had been refused the “pill” by a pharmacist on religious grounds. The PDA said it had been  “implied” that the pharmacist refused because he was a Muslim. The PDA said that the pharmacist declined to give the “pill” to the woman on “personal and ethical” grounds, which, it said, was allowed by the pharmacists’ ethical code. The two newspapers printed corrections on this point. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo156 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=156 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has released details of the actions it is to take to help ease “workplace pressures” in pharmacy. Society President, Steve Churton has written an open letter in the pharmacy press which outlines the steps the Society will be taking to “understand and address” this issue. These steps include the sharing of research commissioned by the Society to look at stress in the pharmacy, and “high level” seminars with individuals and groups involved in pharmacy. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo155 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=155 Alli (orlistat 60 mg) has been given a licence to be sold without prescription. According to manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline it is the first EU commission authorised non-prescription weight loss aid in Europe. The product will be available for adults with a Body Mass Index of 28 kg/m2 or more in all EU member countries. David Pruce, Royal Pharmaceutical Society director of policy and communications, said: “Pharmacists’ roles are changing and this is a great opportunity to make a real impact on improving patients health.” He also added that pharmacists are already offering weight loss services to the community and that alli will be another “tool”. Both the Society and GSK have also said that they will be providing  training materials and programmes for pharmacists and staff.   Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo154 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=154 AAH has announced it will be reducing its fuel surcharge to £4.50 per month. The reduction will come into effect from February 1 and the company said that this is the second time it has reduced the surcharge, the first time being in November, 2008. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo153 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=153 UniChem has announced the reduction of its fuel surcharge by nearly 50 per cent. The company said that from February 1 the charge will be reduced from £9.85 to £4.95. It adds that this is due to the fall in fuel prices.  John Geddes, UniChem sales director, said that the charges were “flexible” and would be “monitored accordingly”. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo152 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=152 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has asked pharmacists to express their views on two issues, new professional standards and guidance for responsible pharmacist and amendments to standards for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in positions of authority. The Society said that as the regulations for responsible pharmacist come into effect this year the profession has a chance now to “have a real impact on the standards they will need to comply with come October”. It also said that the reason it is launching these two consultations at the same time is that the responsible pharmacist and pharmacist or pharmacy technicians in a position of authority are “linked” and the consultations “feed into each other”. The Society is asking pharmacists to respond to both consultations. Two questionnaires on these two subjects are available online at the Society’s website or from Priya Sejpal, head of professional ethics at the Society on 020 7572 2481. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo151 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=151 When buying shampoo and skincare from pharmacies 50 per cent or more of shoppers in the UK made a decision in-store about brand purchases compared to 20 per cent in supermarkets, according to a global shopper study. The report authors OgilvyAction said this shows shoppers are “more open to in-store influences in pharmacies and brands should adapt their activities… to match the levels of loyalty.” The research also suggested that shoppers in the two categories, shampoo and skincare, will buy more than they intended before entering the shop. In the skincare category, over 26 per cent of UK shoppers surveyed had bought more than intended and 19 per cent had bought more shampoo than originally intended, suggesting in-store promotion, merchandising and point of sale may effect purchasing decisions. The survey “Shopper Decisions Made In-Store” was comprised of interviews with 14,000 shoppers in 700 retail outlets across 24 markets. The retail channels that were included in the UK part of the survey were pharmacies, supermarkets and convenience stores. The report has also revealed that one in ten shoppers leave the shop empty empty handed, leaving behind the product they had planned to buy. OgilvyAction said that this means “many millions” of pounds in new purchases are “up for grabs”. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo150 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=150 According to new figures released by Diabetes UK, one person is diagnosed with diabetes every three minutes in the UK. The charity said that official figures show nearly 150,000 people were diagnosed last year and that 2.5 million people in the UK have diabetes. Diabetes UK has released this news to mark its 75th anniversary and chief executive of the charity, Douglas Smallwood, said: “Diabetes UK wants the Government to put diabetes at the top of the health agenda in 2009.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo149 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=149 The report on the first year of the Coventry weight management project has been released and shows that 30 of the 34 patients who completed the pharmacy-led scheme shed a combined weight of around 20 stone. The report says that 26.5 per cent of the participants in the pilot scheme “achieved a 5 per cent or more weight loss”. Laurence Tressler, deputy head of medicines management for NHS Coventry, says that community pharmacy has “risen to the challenge magnificently” of helping patients lose weight.  The project began in January, 2007, by NHS Coventry and has been facilitated by UniChem, which provided training through its professional services team. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo147 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=147 Statistics from the NHS Information Centre show that the number of pharmacies owned by independent contractors has dropped to 39 per cent in England and Wales. Figures show this is a two per cent drop from 2006-07 with the number of multiple contractors rising from 6,366 in 2006-07 to 6,688, a 61 per cent share of the market. The statistics shows that 10 years ago independent pharmacies accounted for 57 per cent of the market share. Independent pharmacies are defined as a group of five pharmacies or fewer. A multiple is six pharmacies or more. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo148 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=148 UniChem has announced an “exclusive” deal for independent pharmacy has been struck with DrThom, which is described as a medical service formally regulated by the Healthcare Commission to prescribe treatment online. According to UniChem, the deal will mean that independent pharmacies can offer services such as malaria medication, emergency contraception and hair loss treatment. The services will entail the customer filling out a questionnaire, either online at the DrThom website or in a local independent pharmacy, that will be sent to DrThom. If a patient then requires treatment, UniChem says, a private prescription from DrThom will be sent to their local pharmacy. UniChem says that this new deal could “increase” footfall and “generate a sustainable private income stream”. It adds that this deal is designed “to provide support” for independents. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo145 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=145 The National Pharmacy Association has announced that since the launch of the Chlamydia test service and Clamelle, GLG Laboratories have received between 5 and 10 tests a day. John Turk, chief executive of the NPA, has said that this uptake of the service is “particularly gratifying” as it has happened prior to the planned national consumer advertising campaign. The NPA has also said that 70 per cent of its members are signed up to provide this service. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo146 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=146 The Transitional Committee’s prospectus entitled   ” the new professional pharmacy body for pharmacy”  has been published. The prospectus sets out proposals  for the structure of the body, for who would be able to join — this would include a full membership category for “pharmaceutical scientists” — and for the services the new body should offer. The prospectus also mentions membership fees. According to the prospectus, the fees that would be paid to the new body plus the cost of registration with the regulator should be “no more” than pharmacists pay now through the retention fee to the Royal Pharmaceutical  Society. However, it would require two separate payments. A feedback form is attached at the back of the prospectus and the deadline for return of the form is January 9t 2009. An electronic copy of the prospectus is available at www.transitionalcommittee.com. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo142 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=142 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain has announced the start of an eight-week consultation on continuing professional development( CPD) proposals. The Society says that the focus of the consultation will be on “professional standards and guidance for CPD” and the possible inclusion as one of the  categories of cases for non-referral to the Investigating Committee of “failure to comply with CPD regulations” . The consultation documents are available on the Society’s website atwww.rpsgb.org and there are two ways to submit views; post or online. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo143 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=143 The National Pharmacy Association has produced materials designed for promotion of allergy screening services during Indoor Allergy Week, from November 17 to 21, 2008. The materials include a template press release and a template invitation letter. Also available is a “question and answer” document intended to help pharmacists answer questions that may be posed during the week. All the materials can be downloaded from the members area on the NPA website, www.npa.co.uk/members. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo144 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=144 The Independent Pharmacy Awards, arranged by Independent Community Pharmacist and sponsored by Apotex UK Ltd, were presented in London on October 1. The principal guest was Dr Keith Ridge, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Department of Health, who made the presentations. The Independent Pharmacist of the Year Award, to recognise the independent pharmacist who has done the most during the year to develop clinical services went to John Goes of Goes Pharmacy, Coventry. The Businessman of the Year Award, to recognise the pharmacist who has done the most during the year to develop his or her pharmacy as a business, went to Ashley Cohen of Halton Pharmacy, Leeds. (This award was made in association with P3 magazine.) The Advocate of the Year Award, to recognise the independent pharmacist who has done the most during the year to promote the cause of independent pharmacy, went to Raj Patel of the Mount Elgon Pharmacy, Wimbledon Chase, London. The Community Service Award, to recognise an independent who has done particularly well in exploiting the new practice-based commissioning opportunities in England and Wales or developing new services under the new contract in Scotland, went to Tina Cooke of Vantage Pharmacy, Manor Top, Sheffield. The Key Staff Award, to recognise a pharmacy staff member who has gone beyond the call of duty to help a patient or group of patients, was awarded jointly to Karen Johnson and Joanna Rose of G.R. Pharmacy, Birmingham. The award presentation event will be reported fully in the November issue of ICP. Picture left to right: Colin Darroch, Karen Johnson, Joanna Rose, Raj Patel, John Goes, Tina Cooke, Ashley Cohen, Dr Keith Ridge Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo140 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=140 AAH has announced that it will apply “normal” rates of discount to “qualifying ethical medicines” which are ordered by pharmacies directly from the manufacturer. The company said that the discount was previously “withheld” to cover the cost of invoicing “manually” when the product is ordered through the manufacturer. The cost, it said, will now be incurred by the manufacturer. Mark James, managing director of AAH, said: “We think it is fairer for manufacturers to pick up the cost involved as in effect we are providing the invoicing service on their behalf.” The discount will not apply to specials. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo141 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=141 Raj Patel, pharmacist and owner of Mount Elgon Pharmacy in Wimbledon has been promoting pharmacy in his local community with presentations on medicines use reviews. Mr Patel has so far given three presentations at local residents associations and local groups since July. He said that around 15 – 20 people attend the presentations about going to the local pharmacy and asking for an MUR to be carried out and he adds that the reaction to the presentations has been “great”. He said: “The patients are full of confidence and seeing pharmacy in a more positive light.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo139 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=139 Two universities have been commissioned by the Department of Health to carry out research into prescribing by nurses and pharmacists and their effects on patient care. The University of Southampton and Keele University will carry out a survey using postal questionnaires sent to among others 380 pharmacist independent prescribers. These are all pharmacists who were registered at May 1, 2008.  According to Professor Alison Blenkinsopp, Keele University, this is because not all prescribers can begin prescribing straight away and the universities want to “maximise” the numbers that are prescribing when they receive the questionnaire. The survey, which will run for 18 months, is being used to assess the “quality, safety and costs of prescribing” by non-medical persons and the results of the survey will be used to select 10 case studies for a further “in-depth” study. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo138 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=138 The Department of Health has announced the appointment of two National Clinical Directors for Pharmacy. The appointment of Jonathan Mason and Martin Stephens “fulfils the commitment made in the Pharmacy White Paper to ensure that the proposed initiatives are supported by strong, authoritative, clinical leadership at local and national levels,” according to the DoH. The DoH said that one goal for both roles is to work together to deliver an improved healthcare “experience” for patients in all sectors of pharmacy. It also said that the new directors will focus on the implementation of services. Mr Mason will be responsible for community pharmacy and primary care and is currently the head of prescribing and pharmacy at City and Hackney teaching Primary Care Trust. Mr Stephens will focus on hospital pharmacy and works currently as the divisional clinical director, diagnostics and therapy and associate medical director, clinical effectiveness, at Southampton University hospital NHS trust. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo136 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=136 Pharmacy bodies have expressed support for the Prime Minister’s announcement at the Labour Party Conference of free prescriptions for cancer patients and later, for patients with long-term conditions. But they questioned his claim that the long-term conditions exemption would be funded by drugs bill savings. John Turk, NPA chief executive, said that the National Pharmacy Association was ‘pleased’ with the announcement. He said that the NPA had “long called for a review” on prescription charges. Mr Turk added that the association felt that drugs budget savings were not the only way to ‘offset’ the cost of any changes. He highlighted the use of advanced services such the vascular risk management programme, which he said, when implemented could save money through preventing illness and so preventing the related cost of treating the illness. The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee chief executive Sue Sharpe, also commented that this announcement should remind pharmacy that it played an “important role” in cutting medicines costs. She added that this can be achieved through pharmacist ensuring patients used medicines correctly by implementing medicines use reviews. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society said that, although this news was a good thing it was less convinced of the commitment to end all prescription charges for long-term conditions by using funding from the NHS drugs budget savings. Beth Taylor, chair of the English Pharmacy Board of the Society, said: “This may not be as easy as he thinks and we do not think this promise should be conditional. Patients should not have to pay if the NHS fails to deliver savings in the drugs budget.” In his speech Mr Brown said that prescription charges for cancer patients would be scrapped next year with the end to charges for long-term conditions to follow. He said: “In the long-term, as the NHS generates cash savings in its drugs budget, we will plough them back into abolishing charges for all patients with long-term conditions”.  Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo137 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=137 The Independent Pharmacy Federation has expressed disappointment over the findings of the latest Which? undercover report, testing out pharmacy performance on emergency hormonal contraception, Imigran Recovery sales, and travellers’ diarrhoea. Which? sent covert researchers into 101 UK pharmacies and got “unsatisfactory advice on a third of the visits”. Independents gave such advice on “almost half of visits”. The IPF notes that, while some independent pharmacies surveyed performed poorly, it was a “pharmacy-wide rather than an independent problem”. It says: “While we do not defend the poor results, this survey was undertaken at a time when pharmacy remuneration was in freefall, necessitating cutbacks in front-line staff.” It adds that the professional body was in turmoil, “failing to give direction and leadership.” Pharmacy bodies’ comments can be found in full below. IPF comment: '-The IPF is disappointed that some of the independent pharmacies within this survey performed poorly but notes this is a pharmacy wide rather than just independent problem.   “This survey highlights a pharmacy wide problem that needs addressing and independent pharmacy will need to do its bit to improve the service to the public. IPF will be working with others to remedy the situation at its member’s pharmacies but recognises that the morale is poor and some support and encouragement from industry and the Society would be welcome .The MUR survey found 25% had resulted in a change of therapy. This is a very good result as finding nothing adverse on an MUR is also a POSITIVE result. “Independent pharmacies are often positioned within the poorest and most disadvantaged communities in society. Our experience is that the majority of independent pharmacies provide a valued service their communities within which they often live and work however they must invest in private areas to fulfil their obligations.     “Whilst the IPF does not defend the poor results, this survey was undertaken at a time when remuneration to pharmacies was in freefall, necessitating cutbacks often in front line staff and a professional body that is in turmoil and has failed to give direction and leadership to the profession. Above all, we are in a state of flux where the market wants unfettered public access to medicines, the Home Office wants increased levels of security, DH wants reams of legislation, HM Treasury wants to cap the drug budget at our expense, while changes in the pharmaceutical industry and Government are destabilize the pharmacy network.   “Which has produced a very balanced report and also shows where pharmacy has improved in the last 3 years. We agree the quality needs to improve and welcome the Society in embracing the problem and working with the profession to provide solutions   “We recognise that the effective supervision of 'over the counter' medicine sales is essential and we will be doing all we can to encourage independent to improve, although the legislative and financial environment also needs to encourage and facilitate this. We feel it important to highlight that changes in the pharmaceutical distribution network will have detrimental impact on training and staff support.' Numark comment: John D’Arcy, interim managing director of Numark, says:  We are pleased to see acknowledgement that there has been improvement since the last 'test' in 2004 - particularly the increased availability of private consultation areas which reflects the significant investment made by pharmacy owners in upgrading premises to be fit for purpose in taking on an enhanced role. Pharmacy performance was good or satisfactory in 67% of cases. “We must always be cautious in drawing firm conclusions from ad hoc mystery shopping, and there will always be debate about whether an arm's length expert panel reflect the day to day decision making of practitioners, but we ignore some of the key findings of the study at our peril.  We take on board the findings of the report particularly the need to make staff training more effective.  We need to study the report and its recommendations with a view to improving pharmacy's overall importance. “We welcome the report's recommendations in respect of on-line pharmacy particularly the need to use a UK registered pharmacy site and the importance of ensuring that there is a 'bricks and mortar' pharmacy behind the website.” Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain comment: “The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain was pleased to see that there have been significant improvements reported in the provision of pharmacy services since a similar 2004 Which? report, particularly with regard to the use of private consultation areas, the supply of Emergency Hormonal Contraception and Medicine Use Reviews being well received by Which? members. There are some areas for improvement and once the full Which? data is made available, the Society will work with the profession to address these. David Pruce, Director of Policy and Communications at the Society commented: “The Which? report is an opportunity to learn and improve. There are some issues that need to be looked at, but it is also important to put the research in context – the study looked at a small sample size representing less than 1 per cent of all pharmacies in the United Kingdom. “Pharmacies offer a high quality of service and advice, with independent research showing that community pharmacists are among the most trusted of health professionals. Their expert knowledge and advice is valued by the millions of patients who visit them every day.” The Society is committed to supporting the profession in improving standards and training. In collaboration with the National Pharmacy Association, it is in the process of launching a national ’mystery shopper’ initiative that aims to improve the quality of advice for the treatment of minor ailments in pharmacies.” NPA responds to Which? research “The NPA strives to supports community pharmacists in improving the quality of services that people receive at pharmacies. We are pleased that the current Which? Survey shows improvements in the service that people can receive at pharmacies and that when asked many people would like to receive a greater range of services from pharmacies. “In this study the expertise of the pharmacist is shining through.  Work needs to be done to increase the support given to the whole of the pharmacy team. There is also good news on the number of pharmacies with a private consultation area, where two people can sit down and have a private discussion – the majority of pharmacies now have these facilities available. “It’s good to see that new services such as the Medicines Use Review Service were well received, with the majority of patients rating the service highly. It’s also encouraging that so many patients took positive action and got more out of their medicines following an MUR. “The anecdotal evidence provided by the experience of the Which? Researcher who popped in to her local pharmacy for a blood glucose test to avoid a long wait for tests at a GP surgery shows the value of offering ‘health check’ services in pharmacies. Community pharmacies have convenient opening times and are located near where people live and work making the case for rolling out these services across all pharmacies.      However, it also true that there is still room for quality to improve further and the NPA will be playing its part in full to improve quality across the sector.    “The NPA has already invested in a pilot project using mystery shopping techniques to support quality improvement in giving advice on the treatment of minor ailments in pharmacies – in partnership with the RPSGB. We have been encouraged by the results and have now received funding from the Department of Health to further extend the project.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo135 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=135 Novartis Consumer Health has launched the first UK over-the-counter diclofenac tablets. The availability of these tablets comes after the POM to P switch of the “active” ingredient diclofenac potassium. Dr Edward Huskisson, consultant rheumatologist, King Edward VII hospital, London, who attended the launch of the new Voltarol product, said: “Diclofenac has been used worldwide for the past 30 years. ” New Voltarol Pain-eze tablets contain 12.5mg diclofenac potassium and are indicated for relief of body pain, joint pain and muscles aches. The Voltarol brand manager said: “We want to establish Voltarol as a leader in body pain relief.” Novartis Consumer Health, suppliers of Voltarol, has also produced a new pharmacy POM to P training pack for UK pharmacies with sections on diclofenac, how to answer customer questions and activities for pharmacy staff and staff training records. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo134 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=134 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has announced the fees for 2009 that include staged payments and a low income fee. The staged payments arrangement will be quarterly and the society said the introduction is due to a “clear demand” from members. The Society has said the increase in the retention fee for practising pharmacists in 2009 will be 4.5 per cent and 3.9 per cent for technicians and other fees. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo133 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=133 Numark has launched its prospectus to members and announced details of several new initiatives being launched in the coming months. John D’arcy, interim managing director of Numark, said: “It’s a tough environment. If ever pharmacists needed a robust support system its now.” The new initiatives that Numark members will be able to access from October include a central invoicing service, weight management programmes, training programmes for the pharmacist and pharmacy team and Numark specials and product sourcing. Tony Mottram, Numark commercial director, said: “ The more members use Numark and its services the better the business will become. There are other groups that pharmacists can use and competition is good but Numark is more than a buying group it is a symbol group.” Numark member Shamir Patel said that he uses Numark on a regular basis to help him run his 18 pharmacy network. He said: “There is always someone on the end of the phone or email to help. I use Numark like a virtual head office.” However, Mr Patel said there was more that Numark could do. Namely that it should act as a stronger voice for independents in the political arena. He said: “Numark needs to represent independents at the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and Department of Health and during negotiations and white papers.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo132 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=132 Research from the University of Bristol and the University of West England, Bristol suggests that a child with a fever should be given ibuprofen first to reduce the fever. The study, carried out with 156 children aged between 6 months and 6 years, was intended to investigate whether the use of ibuprofen and paracetamol together was “superior” to using one alone to reduce fever in children. The results of the study were that in the first four hours paracetamol plus ibuprofen cleared a fever faster than paracetamol alone. Though the study suggested that it (paracetamol plus ibuprofen) “may be as good as ibuprofen”. Also a “combined therapy” of paracetamol and ibuprofen is said to have cleared fever 23 minutes quicker than paracetamol along but “no faster” than ibuprofen alone. However, guidelines published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence advises that either medicine can be given to children but not in combination. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo131 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=131 UniChem has announced that as of September 8 customers will have to pay a monthly fuel surcharge fee of £14. The charge will apply to deliveries to all first and second line pharmacies. The company says that it is no longer able to “absorb” the cost of fuel for delivering its products to customers. John Geddes, director of sales at UniChem, said: “This decision follows extensive consideration of all the options available to us.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo130 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=130 Pharmacy minister Dawn Primarolo will be speaking at the Community Pharmacy Conference this year. The conference takes place November 17 at the International Convention Centre, Birmingham and the theme this year is “Healthy people, healthy future”. For copies of the conference programme and registration forms go to www.psnc.org.uk/events. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo128 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=128 Rxchange.co.uk are offering healthcare professionals a free stock alerts email service. The new service provides daily email alerts on stock lists, biggest stock discounts and “up-to-date” market intelligence. It is part of the Rxchange service launched last year in association with the National Pharmacy Association. Pharmacists can register for the alerts at www.rxchange.co.uk/alerts. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo129 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=129 Statistics have shown the prescriptions in Wales have risen from 59.1m in 2006/7 to 62m in 2007/8 one year after free prescriptions were introduced for all registered with a Welsh GP. The statistics come from The National Statistics office for Wales in a report entitled Prescriptions by General Medical Practitioners in Wales, 2007/08. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo127 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=127 The National Pharmacy Association has announced the details of its new Chlamydia testing service. It is intended to be a private service for NPA members to offer customers. The service coincides with the announcement that the first over-the-counter treatment for Chlamydia, Clamelle, will be available by the end of the year. Pharmacists will require an internet connection and business email address in order to offer the service. Once they have purchased the NPA resource pack, costing £21, that contains standard operating procedures, key facts information, merchandising advice and materials the NPA will inform the Gordon Laboratory Group (GLG) that the pharmacist is a member and can register on the GLG site. The service is set up so that a patient purchases a test kit from the pharmacy and sends of the sample to the GLG. The results can either be sent directly to the patient or they can be returned to a participating pharmacy. If the result is positive the patient can then attend any participating pharmacy, with the letter from GLG or with the unique registration number slip that comes with the test kit, to purchase the treatment. The pharmacist can verify the positive result by logging into the GLG site and entering certain patient details. The sale of the treatment will also be logged onto the site to ensure a further supply is not given out. NPA head of communications, Neal Patel, said: “I think there is going to be a real interest in this service.” The service is not due to be implemented until later in the year when Clamelle is available but the NPA has said they want to give members time to understand the service. The NPA have also said that they believe this service can allow pharmacists to open a dialogue with patients using the service about sexual health in general. Neal Patel said: “Pharmacists can offer advice to those using the service about stopping re-infection and provide further sexual health advice.”  Pharmacists who would like more information about the service can go to the NPA website www.npa.co.uk/members or call the NPA sales team on 01727 800401. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo126 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=126 The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced the POM to P switch of azithromycin. It will be available as Clamelle from pharmacies without prescription for people aged 16 and over for the treatment of chlamydia if the person has tested positive for the infection and have no symptoms. Dr June Raine, director of vigilance and risk management of medicines at the MHRA, said: “This move means that symptom-free people diagnosed with chlamydia and their partner will be able to get convenient effective treatment from their local pharmacy.” The MHRA says that it expects the medicine to be available from pharmacies “later this year”. The National Pharmacy Association has responded to this announcement by saying it believes it will provide an “unparalleled opportunity” for pharmacy and that it showed a “great confidence” in the profession. The NPA says that this switch will provide patients with more choice of where to be treated and make it “quicker and easier” for people to be tested and treated. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo124 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=124 The National Pharmacy Association’s Education and Training department has announced it  us taking bookings for the NPA’s Preregistration Trainee Pharmacist Training Programme 2008/2009. There will be two courses, held in October, 2008, and January/February, 2009, and a Birmingham preregistration trainee pharmacist conference in April. This conference will include mock exams, revision workshops and a prize giving ceremony. Students are being given the choice of three locations for the course: Wakefield, Birmingham and St Albans. The cost of the course is £1,500 + VAT, which includes accommodation and resources, says the NPA. For more information, call 01727 800402 or email training.dept@npa.co.uk. There are also more details on the NPA members’ website www.npa.co.uk/members/education_and_training.php. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo125 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=125 The National Pharmacy Association has released a new standard operation procedure (SOP) for the supply of opioid medicines. The document includes a “standard” template SOP and information on resources on this subject. It has been produced in response to a National Patient Safety Agency Report, “ Reducing Dosing Errors with Opioid Medicines”. Michelle Styles, NPA head of information, says: “The National Patient Safety Agency report recommendations should be implemented by January 30, 2009, so the NPA SOP will help members implement any necessary changes to meet this deadline.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo123 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=123 The Welsh and Scottish Pharmacy Boards of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society  have elected new chairpersons. Marc Donovan (pictured) has been elected chair of the Welsh Board and Sandra Melville, chair of the Scottish Board. Mr Donovan said: “I feel very honoured to have been elected Chair at this important time for the pharmacy profession. I am looking forward to putting my experience and enthusiasm to use in continuing to lead the Welsh pharmacy profession.” Ms Melville said that although the changes taking place in the pharmacy profession would prove “challenging” there were also opportunities presenting themselves. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo119 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=119 The English Pharmacy Board of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has a new Chair, BethTaylor. Beth Taylor began her career in 1970 and has worked in primary care, community health and hospital pharmacy and has recently worked within East and South East England Specialist Pharmacy Services. She says: “I am very excited about taking up the role as Chair. “With the recent flurry of key health policy documents and the formation of the new professional body, I believe that this period of office will be an absolutely crucial one for pharmacy in England.” Ms Taylor takes over the position of Chair from Paul Bennett. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo120 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=120 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Policy Development Unit has commissioned a report that looks at the role the pharmacy can and does play in helping people in the community with alcohol misuse. The report will be available on the Society website from July 11. Eileen Neilson, head of policy development , says that the report will feature existing examples of services run by community pharmacies and how this model can be used to offer services through out the country. She adds: “Government strategies for pharmacy envisage a greater role for pharmacists in tackling the health consequences of alcohol misuse. “I encourage anyone with an interest in the topic to read the report.”   Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo121 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=121 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is advising pharmacists that the guidance released by the National Patient Safety Agency on opioids should be “implemented immediately”. The guidance advises health practitioners to confirm any recent patient medical history involving opioids including recent doses and frequency of use, check the dose being give is correct if there is an increase and also that they are “familiar” with characteristics of the medicine including standard dosing and common side effects. According to the Society the guidance were released after “concerns over incorrect and unsafe dosing of opioids.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo116 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=116 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has announced a restructuring of its internal directorates. The new structure will see the Society’s functions divided into three main areas: professional services, publishing and professional regulation. The three areas will share resources such as IT and public relations. Chief executive and registrar of the RPSGB, Jeremy Holmes, says the restructing is the Society looking to the future and the establishment of the new professional body. He adds: “The countdown to the establishment of the new professional body and General Pharmaceutical Council has begun and it is important that the Society adapts its ways of working in order to focus on the needs of these two new organisations.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo117 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=117 Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, has announced the beginning of a consultation on a draft NHS constitution. The constitution is intended to “reaffirm” the rights of patients to free NHS services “without discrimination of any kind”. The Department of Health says this constitution is a way to clarify the right and responsibilities for staff and patients. The Department of Health adds that this constitution will be the first of its kind in the world and will, along with establishing patients’ rights to drugs treatments approved by NICE and the right to “complaint and redress”, encourage patients to take some responsibility for their own health and wellbeing. The rights set out in the draft constitution, which is expected to undergo a 14-week consultation, are “underpinned” by existing laws and the constitution itself will not be passed into law, the Department says. However, it adds, the right to choice that is contained in the draft constitution will be put into law separately. This right is intended to ensure patients can make decisions on health care, including choice of a particular GP in a practice, according to the Department. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo118 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=118 Health Minister, Lord Darzi, has released his plans for the National Health Service. The plans come after a 12-month review and Lord Darzi says that the plans are to be put into action by staff at a local level. He states: “This report will enable frontline doctors, nurses and patients – who provide and use the NHS services – to put into practice their vision for high quality care.” The plans for the NHS include a faster drug approvals process, patient rating of quality of care affecting  funding for hospitals and GPs and the publication of information on the quality of care and treatment outcomes. Also contained in the plans is the idea of “piloting” new ways for healthcare providers across all sections, including doctors and local authorities, to provide more “joined up” services for people with long-term conditions such as diabetes. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo114 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=114 UniChem and AAH Pharmaceuticals have both announced the launch of their 2008/09 pre-registration training programmes. AAH, in conjunction with Buttercups Training, is providing a scheme consisting of three residential events held in September, January and April. The start of the programme begins with a tutor introduction on July 28.  The company says the training will include focus on responding to symptoms, law and ethics and the drug tariff. The contact number for AAH is 02476 432000. UniChem launch the second year of “your pre-reg” with an “improved” price of £3,750+VAT per student. The programme will begin with a tutor training session in the final week of July. UniChem says that all training materials, as well as tutor and trainee support, will be provided “centrally” by the company’s Professional Services team.  The contact telephone number for registration for the 2008/09 programme is 0207 974 4048. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo112 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=112 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has issued a statement regarding the possible launch of a placebo pill aimed at children. “Obecalp” is a cherry flavoured dextrose pill that was launched on June 1 in the United States by Efficacy Brands as a placebo pill and may be available on the UK market. According to the company website the “inventor” of the pill, Jennifer Buettner, said: “I invented Obecalp as the first standardised placebo for sale to anyone.” RPSGB chief scientist, Jayne Lawrence, said: “ The RPSGB is concerned that this product is due to be made available on the UK market as a placebo pill to give to children. “We are also concerned that giving a child the pill reinforces the wrong message – that tablets are the answer for all of life’s aches and pains. “As a dietary supplement, the manufacturers have not been required to carry out clinical trials. Further, the use of this drug indicates that symptoms diagnosis and advice have not been sought from a qualified healthcare professional, which runs the risk of misdiagnosis.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo113 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=113 The National Pharmacy Association has said that the number of medicines use reviews conducted in Wales exceeded 60,000 in the 2007/08 financial year. The NPA said that this was an increase of 99 per cent of the 2006/07 year. NPA head of professional services (Wales), Steve SImmonds, said: “In the past year a number of Welsh pharmacies have had a concerted focus on increasing MUR numbers, however, the picture on the ground remains very mixed.” Mr Simmonds said that some pharmacists are still having difficulties conducting MURs either for “operational” reasons or that they “lack the confidence to take those first tentative steps”. The NPA offers members advice of conducting MURs, materials on the members area of the website and a MUR resource pack recently launched can be purchased by calling 01727 800401. The pack costs £22. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo110 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=110 Novartis UK Ltd has announced that AAH Pharmaceuticals and UniChem Ltd will be distributing its medicines. The arrangement is due to commence on August 4 and Novartis has said that the new arrangement should not affect customers. However, AAH has said that it will be undertaking a restructuring of the discount available on Novartis UK products. The company said that it will be speaking to all customers about the changes and also sending a formal letter of explanation. AAH Pharmaceuticals group managing director, Mark James, said: We are delighted to announce that Novartis UK has selected AAH as one of two wholesale partners. UniChem supplier relations director, Mark Stephenson, said: We are pleased to be selected by Novartis UK. We continue to work closely with our manufacturer partners to develop services and support to assist community pharmacy in this new era. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo111 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=111 Steve Churton has been elected President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Mr Churton addressed the council expressing his view on the profession at the present time. He said: “I cannot recall a time of so much change within our profession. Pharmacy is undergoing seismic change and the landscape in which we currently operate is likely to be unrecognisable in the not too distant future.” Martin Astbury was also re-elected Vice President and Andrew Gush was re-elected Treasurer. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo109 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=109 Procter & Gamble has announced details of an initiative called PharmacyCare they hope will drive front of store sales in independent pharmacies. PharmacyCare is a programme of activities designed to improve the “shopability” of independent pharmacy. The company wants to make independent pharmacy a “one stop shop” for all health and beauty needs.  The activities include a trial by P&G sales partner Ceuta Healthcare to re-merchandise three categories in pharmacies around England and a P&G remerchandising of  “lead test” pharmacy. The activities are intended to provide information on the best ways to set out the front of pharmacy and the company said it will make the results of the trials available to the industry. P&G are keen to point out that this new programme is being run to benefit the whole industry and is not a P&G product initiative. Joanne Dee, P&G UK pharmacy manager said: “ The long term growth of Procter and Gamble’s pharmacy business relies on category growth and not stealing share. She added: “While this is the start of the journey for the PharmacyCare programme we believe the success of this concept will come from P&G and community pharmacy working together to develop and evolve the concept so it brings success to the entire sector.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo107 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=107 Nigel Clarke has been named by the Council of The Royal Pharmaceutical Society as the Chair of the transitional committee (transcom). This committee’s function will be to “guide” the council during the establishment of the new pharmacy professional body.   Society Vice President, Martin Astbury, said: “I am delighted that Nigel Clarke has accepted the role. He has already demonstrated to the profession through his independent report that he is able to work across and reflect the views and needs of pharmacists.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo108 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=108 Howard Duff has been appointed director for England of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, a newly created role. Mr Duff is a qualified pharmacist who has worked in community, industrial and hospital pharmacy sectors and for the past two years he has been the East Sussex Local Pharmaceutical Committee Chair. David Pruce, Society director for practice and quality improvement, said: “This is a key appointment for the Society and will be crucial in helping the English Pharmacy Board to develop.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo105 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=105 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has had a positive response from the Government to its recommendation that there should be a maximum length of absence of two hours from the pharmacy in response to the Responsible Pharmacist consultation. The Government responded by saying that the Responsible Pharmacist regulations will “reflect” this two-hour limit. The Society said: “This shows the Society’s voice is not only heard but is influential with the Government.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo106 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=106 AAH Pharmaceuticals has announced the launch of a new version of LinkEvolution that includes a new electronic medicines use review  (MUR) forms “wizard”. The MUR wizard is intended to act as a step-by-step guide for pharmacists in England and Wales to filling out the electronic version of the MUR form. Director of marketing, Leon Rudd, said: “Hitting MUR targets equates to an improved bottom line; the MUR wizard will help speed this process up and increase the chances of managing MURs more efficiently.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo103 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=103 The National Pharmacy Association has made its series of SOP guidance notes resources available “free” to members online. The NPA has released five SOP templates and guidance notes including ones for anti-coagulant therapy and safe measurement of liquid medicines. The resources can be downloaded from the members area on the NPA website, www.npa.co.uk/members. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo104 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=104 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has launched a competition to find four “faces of pharmacy” to take part in its 2009 media campaigns. The competition is being called “Pharmacy RX factor”. The Society is looking for four individuals to represent England, Wales, Scotland and Great Britain and raise the profile of pharmacy and provide expert opinion and advice on pharmacy. It is hoping that these four people will become recognisable to the public in the same way as “media medics” such as Dr Hilary Jones has. To enter pharmacists need to send a colour passport photograph, their CV and 300 words describing why they should be one of the four chosen.  The entries should be sent to: Pharmacy RX Factor PR Unit 1 Lambeth High Street London SE1 7JN The deadline for entries is July 1 and the winners will be announced at the British Pharmaceutical Conference in September. The four winners will be given media training and take part in four “major” media campaigns in 2009. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo101 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=101 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has announced that the Clarke Inquiry will be the focus of a member forum on May 21. The forum will include a presentation providing an “overview” of the inquiry and the Society says it will express its response to the report. In attendance will be Society President Hemant Patel, chief executive and registrar Jeremy Holmes and Nigel Clarke, chair of the Clarke Inquiry, who will answers questions after the presentation. The forum is to take place at the Society’s headquarters in Lambeth, London from 6.45pm to 8pm. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo102 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=102 Data from a new survey released today indicates that UK pharmacy wants to play a bigger role in the weight management of the nation with 98 per cent of the pharmacists questioned saying that with support and training, they were “well placed to help people with their weight loss efforts”. The survey was carried out by ICM Research in April 2008 was commissioned by GlaxoSmithKline. The survey involved 350 pharmacists in the UK and six other European countries including Germany, France, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland and Czech Republic. Other data from the UK suggested that 94 per cent of the pharmacists involved in the survey thought guidance on healthy eating should be provided, 94 per cent thought that pharmacists should offer patients advice on weight loss medication and 92 per cent felt they should provide advice on behavioural change to patients. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo92 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=92 The National Pharmacy Association has produced a new resource called “Promoting safer measurement and administration of liquid medicines.” The resource includes a template standard operating procedure and guidance notes and the Association says it is intended to “ensure the supply of measuring devices for liquid medicines complies with the NPSA recommendations on “Promoting the safe measurement and administration of liquid medicines via oral or enteral routes (NPSA alert 19)”. The resource is directed at pharmacists in England and Wales but the NPA says it may be of interest to pharmacy contractors from Scotland and Northern Ireland. It can be downloaded from www.npa.co.uk/members. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo93 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=93 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is urging the Government to consider all consequences in the planning of polyclinics. The Society is calling on the Government to carry out  “impact assessments”  and says it has identified three key areas that should be considered in an assessment. These are: economic, social and healthcare. David Pruce, director of practice and quality improvement, said: “Pharmacists in England are keen to play a larger roll in healthcare provision for the future and the RPSGB believes this is vital to ensure patients, the public and particularly those classed as vulnerable are able to choose the healthcare services they need. “For that reason we are calling for guaranteed impact assessments to be carried out in every locality where there are plans to introduce polyclinics.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo94 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=94 The National Pharmacy Association has asked local council Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees (OSCs) in England to ensure “adequate” consultation over the development of polyclinics occurs. The NPA is urging the OSCs to use the powers they retain under the Consolidated NHS Act 2006 to ensure that the “full potential” impact of the GP led health centres is presented. Stephen Fishwick, NPA head of external relations, said: “GP consolidation on any significant scale would have an appreciable impact on the surrounding pharmacy network.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo95 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=95 The Department of Health’s announcement of £105m being invested in new GP practices for under-served areas has promoted the Royal Pharmaceutical Society to call on the Government to include pharmacy in plans for healthcare in these areas. Hemant Patel, Society President, said: “While the RPSGB supports the Government’s commitment to invest in new GP practices, we would expect to see pharmacy included in the planning and commissioning of these new healthcare services. “The publication last month of the Government White Paper supports pharmacy playing a larger role in the provision of healthcare. “The RPSGB would also like to request that the Government demonstrate by deed, as well as words, that there is greater fairness, equity and justice for pharmacy.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo96 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=96 Allergy UK has announced that from May 19 it will be introducing a new allergy screening service to be available at local pharmacies. The screening service will include a consultation with “full” clinical history taken by the pharmacist and on-going support and information provided to the “sufferer” by Allergy UK. Pharmacists offering the service will undergo specialist training by the Centre for Postgraduate Pharmacy Education at Manchester University and with the clinical director of Allergy UK. Muriel Simmons, CEO of Allergy UK, said: “We have listened to those who contact us desperate for help. They want a local, affordable service where they can feel confident in the advice being given.” Allergy UK says that, as of May 19 it will have at least one pharmacist delivering the service in 51 of the 152 primary care trust areas in England. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo97 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=97 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain has appointed Wendy Harris as the new deputy registrar. Ms Harris was previously deputy director of healthcare quality and head of patient safety and investigations at the Department of Health. She will take up the post on June 9. She said: “I am very much looking forward to joining the Society at such an important time in its history. I see the role of deputy registrar as being highly visible both internally and externally. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo98 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=98 Durex has launched a new Safer Sex pack, designed to “open young people’s eyes” to the health risks of having unprotected sex. The launch takes place during National Condom Week, May 12 – May 16. The pack was designed by Samuel Michael from University College Falmouth, the winner of an online competition run by Durex. The company challenged students to design a poster intended to encourage young people to “play safe”. They received 500 entries and the winning entry is a series of posters entitled “Love is blind”. An exhibition pack is available which includes postcard-sized handouts of the winning poster and runner up entries. Also 6,000 posters will be displayed in NHS Sexual Health Centres, genitourinary medicine clinics (GUM clinics) and family planning centres. Posters will also be put up in pubs, clubs and student unions. Organisations such as the Brook advisory and Terence Higgins Trust and National Aids Trust will be mounting exhibitions and using the materials in workshops. Caroline Green, Durex UK brand manager, said: “National Condom week is a chance to get everyone thinking about the importance of safer sex.  We want people to feel comfortable using and talking about condoms.” To order posters and exhibition packs go to www.durexchange.com Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo99 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=99 Numark, in association with Actavis, has launched a new training strategy called “Numark Academy”. It has been designed to “build on the success” of the current training programme offered by Numark, which includes preregistration training, workshops and seminars and business skills development through Scripts magazine and CPD. Numark Academy, in addition to the training already offered, now offers members and their staff a bursary scheme and the company have put together a training panel. A brochure providing details of the new training will be sent to members this month. The bursary scheme offers Numark members and staff the opportunity to gain funding for courses and programmes that will add “tangible benefits to an independent pharmacy business”. The financial support being offered will provide up to 90 per cent of the cost of the course or programme. The training panel will consist of 10 Numark members and is expected to meet on a quarterly basis to discuss the training being offered members externally and adjudicate for the training burseries. Numark training manager, Jane Lumb, said: “We want to help members retain and develop their team.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo100 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=100 Mount Elgon pharmacist Raj Patel took part in a demonstration of the new allergy screening service for the GMTV cameras on May 12. GMTV doctor, Dr Hilary Jones, the camera crew and Allergy UK deputy chief executive, Jules Payne, arrived at the pharmacy at 5am and stayed until 8.40 am to film Mr Patel carrying out a demonstration screening on allergy patient Ross McManus. Mr Patel said: “I was up at 3.30am and worked until 6pm in the evening. What a long day, but it was worth it.” GMTV visited Mr Patel because he is a National Pharmacy Association spokesperson and the NPA is working with Allergy UK to launch the allergy screening service. Mr Patel is now accredited to offer the screening service. In order to be able to offer this service Mr Patel undertook 10 hours CPPE and a days training with Allergy UK. Mr Patel commented: “I am involved with Allergy Screening as its is important for pharmacy to take new initiatives forward. It primarily generates a new income stream and increases footfall through the pharmacy.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo91 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=91 Mount Elgon pharmacy has been shortlisted for the Small Business award at the South London Business awards 2008. Mount Elgon, run by independent pharmacist Raj Patel, is in the category with three other finalists and the winner will be announced on May 19 at Crystal Palace football club, Selhurst Park.  The winner will be chosen by a panel of “expert judges”. Chairman of South London Business, Peter Pledger, said: “All the finalists are great examples of the strength and quality of business community across the 12 south London boroughs. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo89 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=89 The government announced the launch of “The Common Core Principles to Support Self Care”. The introduction of the seven principles is designed to help health and social care staff to support people, such as those living with long term conditions, to “live independently, stay healthy and make the most of their lives by managing their conditions.” Health Minister Ivan Lewis said: “Their purpose is to enable organisations and all those who work in health and social care to make personalised services, enablement and early intervention to promote independence a reality.” The seven principles are: •    Ensure individuals are able to make informed choices to manage their self care needs •    Communicate effectively to enable individuals to assess their needs, and develop and gain confidence to self care •    Support and enable individuals to access appropriate information to manage their self care needs •    Support and enable individuals to develop skills in self care •    Support and enable individuals to use technology to support self care •    Advise individuals how to access support networks and participate in the planning, development and evaluation of services •    Support and enable risk management and risk taking to maximise independence and choice Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo90 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=90 Almus Pharmaceuticals has donated a Sunshine Coach to Hazel Court School. The Community specialist school is for children with learning difficulties in Eastbourne, East Sussex. The money for the coach was raised through a charity golf day the company hosted last year that included guests such as Henry Cooper and Dennis Waterman.  The company, in partnership with the Variety Club of Great Britain raised £30,000. Tony Foreman, Almus Pharmaceuticals CEO, said: “Hazel Court is an exceptional school and it has been a real pleasure for Almus Pharmaceuticals to be able to support a school which makes such a difference to the local community.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo87 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=87 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society, working with the National Prescribing Centre, has updated its guidance for pharmacists on helping patients manage hypertension. The Society worked with the NPC to ensure the update was in line with guidelines set by NICE and national best practice. Heidi Wright, head of practice at the Society, said: “As the role of pharmacy expands it is important to ensure that professional guidance is relevant and robust.” The new guidance will be available to download from www.rpsgb.org or by calling 0207 572 2412 from May 3. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo88 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=88 The Scottish office of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain held an open day on April 27. The day included a display of Victorian pharmacy with Peter Worling, representative of the British Society for the History of Pharmacy providing an explanation of the display.  There were also exhibits from the information services and publishing. Chairman of the Scottish Pharmacy Board, Dr Rose Marie Parr gave the welcoming address. She said: “The open day is symbolic of open communication with members not just for the day but ongoing.” RPSGB president, Hemant Patel, chief executive and registrar Jeremy Holmes were also present at the open day. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo86 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=86 The National Pharmacy Association has launched its 2008 Ask Your Pharmacist campaign. NPA chairman Dilip Joshi said: “The 2008 Ask Your Pharmacist campaign builds on what was launched last year. “ Virginia Mead-Herbert added: “The campaign is about closing gap between public knowledge and what pharmacy has to offer.” This year’s campaign is focussing on three service areas: medicines use reviews (minor ailments in Scotland and Northern Ireland); health checks and sexual health.  This year the campaign incorporates both new and old media to get across the Ask Your Pharmacist message, with the use of a website, radio, a poster campaign and social marketing. The poster campaign is aiming to place AYP posters in public within 100 metres of a community pharmacist to drive customers in store. In London the posters have also been placed on telephone boxes. Tina Cardy, NPA head of marketing, said: “The poster campaign is about raising awareness in a big way.” The radio campaign will include interviews with regional and national NPA representatives and will link to regional news stories. The interviews will appear on such stations as Kiss fm and BBC Wales. The redesigned ask your pharmacist website, being launched soon, will include a “Find your local pharmacist” facility including a list of the services each pharmacy offers which Jennifer Swallow, NPA E-commerce manager says now has around 50 per cent of members listed. The social marketing campaign for the 2008 AYP focuses on further use of beer mats, an idea that began last year with beer mats encouraging young people to quit smoking were sent to student unions. This year the beer mats have a more general message also about young people being away at university can go to their local pharmacy for health advice and help. Also being utilised this year is social networking site Facebook. Last year the NPA had an ask your pharmacist page on myspace and it has continued the idea of using these sites to reach a wider and younger audience. The NPA says the Facebook page is intended to “create a community” and is about “encouraging young people to talk to their local pharmacist.” The NPA is also offering members “full resource packs” for MURs, Chlamydia and CVD and also “brief” guides that cover 10 services. Director of pharmacy Collette McCreedy said: “This is a spot on campaign for pharmacy.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo84 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=84 A new survey produced jointly by the NPA and PSNC has shown that pharmacists are “working to engage” with EPS despite problems still arising in the system. 80 per cent of respondents to the telephone contractors were EPS release 1 enabled and 56 per cent of enabled contractors are scanning “some or all” of the barcoded prescriptions received. However, those surveyed highlighted the system still has problems. The problems mentioned included slow download speeds with 72 per cent of enabled pharmacies responded to the survey reporting an average prescription download time of over 20 seconds, dosage instructions need to be edited which slows the process and there is a lack of support from PCTs  and training from suppliers. Despite the problems still being experienced the two organisations are urging pharmacists to upgrade to EPS Release 1. They are also encouraging practical use of the system whenever possible to help identify any problems that can the be resolved before “EPS becomes business critical in EPS Release2”. The PSNC and NPA are now working with NHS Connecting for Health to offer pharmacists a “problem-solving” guide. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo85 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=85 From April, The Independent Community Pharmacist is offering independent pharmacists the opportunity to win a mini-fridge, stainless steel kettle or microwave oven for the staffroom. To enter, all pharmacists need to do is email a picture of the Health Focus poster from the latest ICP issue, displayed in their pharmacy, along with their name, pharmacy name and pharmacy address. The winning picture will be selected by the editor and be featured in a future issue of ICP. There is stll time to get entrees in to feature in the May issue so send along your pictures by the end of the week for a chance to win. Email entrees should be sent to Rebecca.derrington@1530.com. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo83 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=83 The PSNC has re-launched its website. The website address remains www.psnc.org.uk but it now includes a news stream highlighting local news from LPC websites and RSS feeds. The PSNC hope the newly updated website will be accessible and easy to use. Head of Information Services Lindsay McClure, said: “The PSNC website has been re-structured with improved navigation and a fresh new design. Updated daily, the PSNC website provides a wide range of guidance and resources about the NHS community pharmacy service in England.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo81 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=81 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has issued guidance for pharmacists about dealing with requests for pseudoephedrine and ephedrine. This guidance is part of an “awareness” campaign the Society is running in response to the MHRA announcement of the possible reclassification from P to POM of these products in 2009 is the misuse of these medicines in illicit manufacture of methylamphetamine is “contained”. The guidance can be downloaded from the Society’s website www.rpsgb.org or is available by calling 0207 572 2412. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo82 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=82 The National Pharmacy Association has launched a new resource called “Supplying Anticoagulant Therapy”. The resource includes a template standard operating procedure, guidance notes and details of the National Patient Safety Agency patient alert “NPSA Alert 18 – Actions that can make Anticoagulant Therapy Safer”. “Supplying Anticoagulant Therapy” can be downloaded from the NPA website from the members area (www.npa.co.uk). For more information contact the NPA information department on 01727 891800 or email information@npa.co.uk. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo79 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=79 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has launched a campaign to get people to visit pharmacy for hay fever advice. The campaign comes after a survey commissioned by the society revealed that a “staggering” 73 per cent of people who suffer from symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing and itchy eyes do not seek medical advice before selecting a treatment. The campaign has been supported by television presenter Melinda Messenger (pictured) and pharmacist Marc Donovan (pictured) and has received coverage on national channels and programmes including; BBC breakfast news; channel five and GMTV. David Pruce RPSBG director of practice and quality improvement said: “Pharmacists are highly trained health professionals and experts in medicines – they can play a significant role in the management of allergies including hay fever. “Pharmacists are situated in the places where people live, work and shop and are open at convenient times without the need to make an appointment.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo80 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=80 Sukhjit Singh Grewal has been appointed NPA head of education and training. Mr Grewal moves to the post from his position as head of membership and actually started his career at the NPA as pharmacist training officer in 1999. He said: “Getting the right skill mix in the pharmacy is vital. NPA education and training provides a comprehensive range of services to help all staff members in the pharmacy. “The NPA is committed to ensuring we continue to provide members and their staff with award-winning, innovative and effective education and training solutions. I am supported by an excellent team and with their help I am convinced that we will achieve a great deal.”  Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo77 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=77 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has updated its “Substances of misuse” list. The list was last reviews in 2004 and it provides details of non-medicinal products; general sale list medicines; pharmacy medicines; prescription-only medicines; and controlled drugs and chemicals. The updated list can be downloaded from the Society’s website. The address is www.rpsgb.org. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo78 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=78 The release of the pharmacy White Paper last week has provoked reaction a great deal of reaction from the pharmacy profession. Most groups and organisations have welcomed the news that the government want pharmacies to play a bigger role in providing the public with services. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society said it was “encouraged” by the recognition of the importance of the pharmacist and that the “voice of the pharmacy profession had been heard” in relation to issues of pharmacy providing minor ailment schemes and further commissioning of enhanced services. Paul Bennett, chair of the English pharmacy board of the Society said: “ We have been waiting for this positive response for some time and we look forward to working with the government to deliver the programme.” Although the Society was quick to emphasise the need clarification of how and when the plans would be put into action. The Society said: “In addition to increasing the pace of change, the RPSBG also believes there is need for more clarity on how the Government is going to fund the services.” The PSNC also declared that the White Paper was a positive for pharmacy. It commented that the White Paper contained plans for areas which the PSNC has been working to improve and also new areas for pharmacy to work in. Sue Sharpe, CEO of the PSNC said: “The new community services proposed include all PSNC’s priority areas for service development. In addition there are innovations, such as the proposals for supporting patients with newly prescribed medicines for long term conditions and those taking oral chemotherapy.” Companies are also reacted to the newly released paper. Teva UK Ltd released a statement of support for the vision of pharmacy set forth in the paper. The company said: “The paper envisages  a number of changes for pharmacy, and the company (Teva) is pleased  that health ministers have recognised the potential for community pharmacy to do more to address access to health and well being services.” Managing director John Beighton added: “Firms like Teva are already offering help to deliver MURs and other services. My message is to say that people like us are available to help - take that help from partners, build relationships with industry that enable contractors to be ready for the first day of every new service.” AAH Pharmaceuticals also applauded the recognition of the “potential which pharmacy has to offer.” The company added that, like the Society, they believe that the plans set out in the White Paper should be put into action “swiftly”. The company also highlighted their ongoing role in offering help to pharmacists with services. The company stated: “AAH has supported and will continue to support its customers to ensure they adapt and meet the challenges and opportunities which lie ahead.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo76 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=76 The government has released a White Paper today which sets out the plan for a bigger role for pharmacies in NHS healthcare in England. The White paper, entitled “Pharmacy in England: Building on strengths —delivering the future”, discusses how more pharmacists will have the ability to deal with minor ailments along with the an increased role in “promoting good health” and supporting patients with long term conditions and providing additional screening services and advice to help prevent illnesses. Health Minister, Ben Bradshaw said: “ A pharmacy isn’t just a place to pick up prescriptions. It’s a service staffed by health professionals. As 99 per cent of the population can get to a pharmacy within 20 minutes, everyone will benefit from more types of treatment available through local pharmacies who can prescribe more, advise more and deal with more.” He pointed out that, although pharmacists are to be taking a bigger role in healthcare, they would not be taking the place of GPs. He said: “These proposals are not about pharmacists taking over the work of GPs — its about complementing them, taking pressure off GPs and enabling them to spend more time with those patients who really need it.” Sue Sharpe (PSNC chief executive officer) said: “I am delighted that the White Paper proposes implementation of a wide range of community pharmacy based services that will offer people easy access to support to help them stay healthy and extend the part community pharmacists play in the care of people with acute and long term conditions.” The White paper can be downloaded from the Department of Health website. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo74 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=74 Phoenix Healthcare has bought Munro Wholesale Medical Supplies Ltd from the Munro group. This follows the group’s sale of its retail pharmacies to Admenta. John Cochrane, managing director of the Munro group said: “This is the final step in our plan to reposition the Munro Group firmly as a short line wholesaler focussed on PI and generic product. Following the sale of our main line wholesale operation, the Munro Group will stay in pharmaceutical wholesale and trade as Strathclyde Pharmaceuticals Ltd.” Phoenix took over operations on 1st April and will continue to operate the company from the depots in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Belfast with discussions of the “integration process” to take place in “due course”. Paul Smith, Phoenix chief operation officer, says: “ The deal will safeguard jobs and ensures Munro customers will see no interruption in service. It is very much business as usual for the foreseeable future and any changes will be notified to all parties well in advance.”   Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo75 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=75 Pharmacy organisations have reacted positively to the announcement by Alan Johnson of the government’s plans for health checks. The National Pharmacy Association, the PSNC and Numark interim director John D’Arcy have all said that they are pleased to see the acknowledgement that pharmacy can be used in offering these health checks. John D’Arcy said: “I welcome the news from Alan Johnson that community Pharmacy could be used to deliver the health screening programme announced by the government.” Sue Sharpe, chief executive officer of PSNC, said: “Sue Sharpe, CEO, PSNC said: “We are very pleased that the government is committed to developing community pharmacy’s role in tackling vascular disease.  Pharmacies can play an important role in reducing the impact of vascular disease, by looking at risk factors, and advising on the measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of development of the condition.  We can use the network of pharmacies and their easy accessibility to provide this support to people in locations and at times that are convenient to them.” The NPA’s chief pharmacist Colette McCreedy said: “The access that pharmacy provides to the whole population is a real asset the NHS can capitalize on.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo70 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=70 The National Pharmaceutical Association (NPA) and The Primary Care Pharmacists Association (PCPA) announced the launch of the “Support and Evaluation Programme for the Medicines Use Review service”. The programme is sponsored by Pfizer and is intended to provide an evidence “base” to show that MURs are of benefit and “create examples of good practice to support implementation of high quality MURs.” Data collected from the pharmacists taking part will include the number of MURs taking place, recommendations made to patient and number of referrals. There will also be a sample of anonymous MURs reviewed by a panel. Training will also be offered as part of the programme. This will include help with communication skills, consultation skills and time management. Dr Duncan Petty from the PCPA explained that research into MUR implementation revealed that some pharmacists were taking up to 50 minutes to carry out individual MURs when it should be taking around 20 minutes, according to Dr Petty. The PCPA and NPA say that independents have not taken up the MUR service as well as was expected and the hope is that this programme will help to further implementation the service. Neal Patel, NPA head of communications says: “This programme is to help those who are willing but perhaps not yet enabled to carry out the service. My hope is that this project will help remove any barriers to the successful implementation of the service and capture the benefits that patients tell us they feel from an MUR.” Primary care trusts and local pharmaceutical committees are being asked to make joint applications for inclusion in the project and four sites will be chosen by a “selection panel” for involvement in the programme. The sites should have a minimum of 15 and maximum of 25 pharmacies and the successful sites are to be announced in June.   Photo from left to right: Michael Holden (PCPA); Dr Duncan Petty (PCPA); Neal Patel (NPA); Michelle Kaulbach (PCPA); John Gordon (Pfizer); Shailen Rao (PCPA)   Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo71 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=71 Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced today plans for a health screening programme to “identify vulnerability to vascular diseases.” The screening will be offered to all 40-74 year olds will, according to Mr Johnson, prevent up to 9,500 heart attacks and strokes every year. He said: “The case for a national programme of vascular checks compelling.” The health check would involve the patient answering questions such as age, sex, family history and having measurements such as weight and height taken. It would also involve a blood test. Implementation of the programme is likely to take place in 2009/10 and initial estimates of annual costs are said to be £250m per year. Associate chief medical officer Bill Kirkup said: “We aim to make vascular checks to be available in a variety of convenient places. These could include GP surgeries, pharmacies or other community settings.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo72 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=72 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society announced the appointment of Sarah Billington as Chief Inspector within the Fitness to Practise and Legal Affairs Directorate. Ms Billington was previously the Enforcement Manager with the Healthcare commission and she is a registered pharmacist and “experienced” magistrate. She says: “I am honoured to be joining the inspectorate and look forward to leading such a professional team through the exciting challenges.” The Society says: “Sarah will take responsibility for ensuring patient safety and well-being by working to ensure a high quality, safe service provision from pharmacies.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo73 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=73 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has welcomed the announcement of the POM to P switch of Naproxen 250mg from Bayer Healthcare. The product, with the brand name Feminax Ultra, is used in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea. The Society’s Lead Pharmacist for self care, Sadia Khan, says: “The Society welcomes the reclassification and believes that this switch will provide women with more choice, convenience and better access to relief from period pains. It also enables pharmacist to use their skills and expertise in medicines.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo69 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=69 The MHRA has released a statement clarifying the advise on cough and cold medicines in the treatment of children under two. The six products that the MHRA has requested be removed from open shelves can still be sold for treatment of older children over the pharmacy counter and they are not banned from sale. The MHRA also asserted that the majority of products licensed for under 2’s, that will under go re-labelling over the next six months are not being banned and can be sold as before for older children.  They say: “where the product indications include children under 2, our advice is that the product should no longer be used in this age group”. This clarification follows some media reports that claimed the six products were being banned completely from sale. The products are: Asda Childrens Chesty Cough Syrup [PL 03105/0056 – MAH: Bell’s] Boots Chesty Cough Syrup 1 yr Plus [PL 00014/0381 – MAH: Boots] Boots Sore Throat and Cough Linctus 1 yr Plus [PL 00014/5152R – MAH:  Boots] Buttercup Infant Cough Syrup [PL 02855/0022 – MAH: Chefaro] CalCough Chesty [PL 15513/0052 – MAH: McNeil] Childrens Chesty Cough [PL 03105/0056 – MAH: Bell’s] Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo68 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=68 Pharmacists have been advised by the MHRA that cough and cold medicines containing certain ingredients are not to be given to children under 2 years of age. The advice follows a review by The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) on over-the-counter cough and cold medicines that suggested that due to the small size of children under 2 they could be “at greater risk of potential harm caused by overdose”.   The PAGB  will be providing information on this issue for parents along with a list of products that are still suitable for children under 2 and it says: “ There have been no major safety problems with these medicines when given to children at the recommended dosage.” Manufacturers have agreed to change the labelling on products to remove dosage information relating to children under 2 and also to include further dosage information for children 2-6 years old and this is expected to take 6 months to complete. Medicines containing antihistamines; Brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine and diphenhydramine, antitussives; dextromethorphan and pholcodine, expectorants; guaifenesin and ipecacuanha and decongestants; phenylephrine, pseudoephendrine, ephedrine, oxymetazoline and xylometazoline, will no longer be licensed for children under 2 years.  Products containing these ingredients can still be used to treat coughs and colds in older children according to the dosage information. Six products that are specifically targeted at children under 2 are to be removed from open shelves and can only be sold from behind the counter for older children with dosage advice from the pharmacist. These products are: Asda Children’ chesty cough syrup, Boots Chesty Cough Syrup 1 year Plus, Boots Sore Throat and Cough Linctus 1 Year Plus, Buttercup Infant Cough Syrup, Calcough Chesty, Children’s Chesty Cough. Parents are being advised to treat children under 2 with paracetamol and ibuprofen to reduce temperatures and “simple cough syrups” such as honey, glycerol and lemon to treat coughs.  The MHRA also says that nasal saline drips and vapour rubs are still appropriate to use for children under 2. For more information, including lists of products still suitable for children under 2 go to www.pagb.co.uk and www.mhra.gov.uk. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo67 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=67 Numark has launched a free distance learning initiative for pharmacy counter staff called “Counter Assistants – Category Excellence”. The modular programme is intended to help counter assistants identify “basic problems, talk confidently about common ailments and provide customers with recommendations on treatment and prevention,” says Numark category development manager Emma Charlesworth.  The programme includes information on merchandising techniques, point of sale materials and ranging advice. As part of each module there will be a questionnaire, with assistants receiving a certificate on successful completion of the module.  The programme will begin in April the first module will be on skin care. The company says the April module will look at conditions including acne and dry skin and presenting the category in-store. Numark members can subscribe to the programme by calling Emma Charlesworth on 01827 841 220 Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo64 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=64 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is hosting an open day of its London Headquarters on 20th April. The tour of the Lambeth site will include members being shown around the museum and library with a buffet lunch included and the option of a Thames River boat tour to end the day. There will also be a discussion of “current and future services of a professional body”. In attendance will be Society President Hemant Patel and Chief Executive Jeremy Holmes. The open day will be from 10:15am to 2:30pm. For more information or to register your interest, email: b&ra@rpsgb.org or phone: 020 7572 2476. Admission on the day will be by pre-booked ticket only. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo65 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=65 Numark and Nucare have announced the amalgamation of the two groups to establish a symbol group to be a “powerful force for community pharmacy”. When the two companies merge it will be under the Numark banner and the “ultimate transition” is scheduled to take place on October 1. Members of both Numark and Nucare will continue to receive the same services until this date when they can decide whether they wish to join. If pharmacists join the new group they will be able to continue to receive goods from the three main wholesalers but they will also need to have an account with Phoenix to receive Numark services, specifically the Numark own brand products. No announcement has been made as to who will lead this new group but John D’Arcy will remain interim managing director of Numark and Mahesh Shah will continue as Nucare chief executive officer during this period of transition. The announcement was made at a press conference attended by a Paul Smith, chief executive officer of Phoenix Medical Supplies Ltd, John D’Arcy and Mahesh Shah on March 13. The companies said that they see this new group as a “business support group, and not a buying group.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo66 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=66 The National Pharmacy Association has announced the appointment of John Turk as Chief Executive effective from 7th April. Dilip Joshi, NPA Chairman said: “I am delighted to announce the decision of the NPA Board of Management to select John Turk. John is a highly regarded senior manager and has a clear understanding of challenges of working in the health arena.” Mr Turk began his commercial career with SmithKline Beecham plc (GlaxoSmithKline) and his has also worked as Managing Director of Gambro AB. He joins the NPA from Care Uk plc where he created and directed the Children’s Services Division. Mr Turk said: “Joining the NPA at this time presents a tremendous opportunity to make a respected organisation even better and I am looking forward to leading the NPA through the next phase of its evolution.  I intend that the NPA will become even more focused on members’ individual, practical needs, as well as providing strong representation and professional leadership.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo63 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=63 Dr Chris Hodges, PSNC chairman, called for changes to be made to the Pharmacy contract during his speech at the PSNC dinner. His speech focused on the need for fair funding in the light of the increased number of pharmacies now operating in England. He said: “Today, as a direct result of the changes to control of entry made by the Department of Health, there are 10,300 pharmacies and that number is growing. What was fair funding for 9,750 is not ¬– and cannot be – fair funding for 10,300.” Dr Hodges also spoke about the recent adjustments to reimbursement arrangements and the financial “pressure” this has placed on pharmacists. He also mentioned “the failure to develop any new advanced services”, calling for more advanced pharmacy services that he said were “nationally agreed and specified with national funding.” The chairman said that the PSNC are eager to see the forthcoming pharmacy white paper. He said: “We need to see these new services urgently. We’re ready to work with the Department of Health to ensure that the forthcoming white paper and the outcome of Ara Darzi’s review will deliver them.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo62 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=62 The National Pharmacy Association is offering Professional Indemnity Insurance from £99 for locums from 17th March. The Insurance would provide locums cover of legal expenses up to £250,000, £5,000,000 professional indemnity cover, £5,000,000 public liability cover and a free 24hour tax and legal advice helpline. NPA Insurance director Paul Coleman said: “Professional Indemnity Insurance is essential for all pharmacists and this is a view shared by employers and agencies, many now require that individuals take their own cover. The Professional Indemnity Insurance for locums was originally launched in February 2002 by Pharmacists Professional Indemnity Ltd (a Chemist Defence Association company) and is now being relaunched as an NPA Insurance product. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo61 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=61 The CPA (Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association) is highlighting the role of community pharmacy in making treatment and information accessible as part of its campaigning for World TB day 2008. The association said in a recent press release: “CPA observance of World TB Day over the last 4 years has served to highlight the role of pharmacists in TB control.” The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, a member organisation of the CPA, has voiced its support for the campaign and the role of pharmacy being raised in the fight against TB. President Hemant Patel said: “Community Pharmacists are well placed to contribute in this area and should be aware of the potential threat. The Society is firmly behind the work of the CPA in the area and fully endorses their drive to raise awareness of World TB day.” According to statistics released by the Health Protection Agency in its Annual report on Tuberculosis surveillance and control in the UK, 8,497 cases were reported in the whole of the UK. The theme for the World TB day, taking place 24th March, is “I am stopping TB”. This will be the theme for next year’s day also. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo58 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=58 Dexcel Pharma, manufacturer of Aloclair, has developed an over-the-counter treatment card with information about mouth ulcers. The card, for pharmacists and pharmacy assistants, includes details on symptoms, causes and treatments, including information on Aloclair, and a section on when to refer customers for medical help. The card also features an “In Practice” case study. The company says that this new treatment card will provide “valuable information about a common problem that customers often enquire about.” The card is available from HSD Communications. Call Meera Nathan on 01923 777277 or email info@hsdcomm.com. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo59 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=59 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The document was signed by Jeremy Holmes, chief executive and registrar of the Society and Professor Kent Woods, chief executive officer of the MHRA in a move the two organisations say will “strengthen working relationships and help achieve core objectives”. Professor Woods said: “I feel this will enable a greater interaction between the society and the MHRA, both working to a common goal of safeguarding public health.” The memorandum is intended to clarify the working relationship between the two organisations. In signing the document they have agreed to on-going contact and exchange of information as well as collaboration in training of inspectors and possible joint investigations, “where appropriate”. Jeremy Holmes said: “This partnership will improve working procedures and will help both organisations benefit from each other’s knowledge and expertise.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo60 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=60 Prescription charge increases will remain below the rate of inflation. This is the announcement made today by Public Health minister Dawn Primorolo. According to the Government the increase will result in 25p on prescription charges in England increasing the charge for a single prescription item to £7.10 from April 1st. The Government says that this is the tenth consecutive year that the charges have been held around or below the rate of inflation. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo56 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=56 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has launched “myLibrary”. It is a new, free, online library for registered pharmacists. This new online resource allows pharmacists to download complete articles from over 1,700 full text journals and search abstracted references to published articles in pharmacy, medicine and health. myLibrary is available via myRPSGB on the Society’s website. This is the secured area of the website and pharmacists can access the new resource using their myRPSGB login. The Society says that the launch of myLibrary is as a “direct result” of a survey carried out last year focussing on what online services pharmacists wanted to Society to offer. Sarah Butler, Information Librarian at the Society, said: “Its launch comes at a time when there is encouragement for pharmacists to pursue evidence-based practice and a requirement for them to ensure that their professional development corresponds with their ever-widening role in supporting patients. We fully expect that myLibrary will become a significant resource for pharmacists wishing to increase their professional knowledge.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo54 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=54 ALTARGO (retapamulin ointment 1 per cent), launched this week, is said to be the first new topical antibiotic launched in nearly a decade. The ointment is “effective” against localised impetigo, says manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline. The last topical antibiotic formulation to be licensed in the UK was Bactroban on 28th October 1998, which was developed by Beecham Group Plc and is currently marketed by GSK UK. ALTARGO is licensed for the superficial skin infections, such as small lacerations, abrasions or sutured wounds. Health professionals can request samples of ALTARGO at www.livemedtalk.co.uk, contacting GSK customer centre on 0800 221 441 or emailing customercontactuk@gsk.com. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo55 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=55 Nucare has announced details of its 2008 golf tournament.  The tournament is open to all Nucare members and will consist of three regional qualifying events. The first event will take place at The Roseberry Course at The Mentmore Golf & Country Club, near Leighton Buzzard on Wednesday 30th April. The second  event is on Thursday 15th May at The Foxhills Club and Resort in Ottershaw, Surrey and the third events is to take place at The Springs Hotel and Golf Club in Wallingford in Oxfordshire on Wednesday 11th June. The first six qualifying pharmacists from each of the regional events will go through to the final taking place at The Menzies Welcombe Hotel and Golf Course in Stratford-upon-Avon on Wednesday 10th September 2008. For application forms contact Michelle Spencer-King at Nucare Head Office on 01908 423 542 Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo52 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=52 A joint response from the CCA, AIMp, NPA, PSNC and RPSGB has been provided to the Department of Children, Schools and Families consultation on the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups legislation and the proposed scheme that will be administered by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). The pharmacy bodies are asking that pharmacy be exempt from the scheme, they said: “Pharmacists and registered pharmacy technicians are already subject to regulation by the RPSGB and the activities of other non-registered pharmacy staff are carried out under supervision of a pharmacist. This regulation provides for comprehensive protection of the public.” The legislation is intended to make registration with the ISA a requirement for any persons carrying out certain “regulated” or “controlled” activities that involve vulnerable adults and children. A new series of criminal offences to enforce the scheme is also  created by this legislation. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo53 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=53 The CCA, AIMp, NPA, RPSGB, PSNC, CPS and CPW have released a joint response to the Department of Health’s initial consultation on Pandemic Influenza legislation. According to the organisations the response “outlines and describes the scale of the issues facing pharmacy which will apply to all community pharmacies across England, Wales and Scotland.” The organisations are also campaigning on such issues as national minor ailments services and improved emergency supply regime “properly” funded by the NHS. They say: “In a pandemic the public will rely on the continuation of services from their pharmacies. This is why it is essential that pharmacy is fully engaged in the planning process now.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo50 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=50 Plans were announced to today for the opening of an NHS GP surgery within a Boots store in Halifax. Spring Hall Medical Centre is opening a “branch surgery” within the Boots store on Market Street, Halifax. This is the second NHS GP surgery to open in the country the first was in a Boots store in Dolphin Shopping Centre, Poole. GPs from the Spring Hill Medical Centre in Halifax will run two clinics a day Monday to Friday and one on Saturday morning. An “experienced” nurse and health care assistants will be running the daily clinics covering blood tests, new patient health checks and other monitoring such as heart rhythms. According to Calderdale Primary care Trust patients will remain registered with Spring Hill Medical Centre. When booking appointments with the main surgery patients will be offered a choice of locations. Dr Cleasby (pictured, right, with Paul Clayton Boots Store manager), Spring Hill Medical Centre GP, said: “Our focus is on improving access for our patients. The extension of our service offers our patients a choice as to where they have appointments.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo51 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=51 The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has launched a six-week campaign aimed at encouraging pharmacists to highlight the Yellow Card scheme to their customers. Pharmacists will receive an information pack that will contain Yellow Card reporting forms, information leaflets and a poster. The online system www.yellowcard.gov.uk has also been updated. Dr June Raine, Director of Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines at the MHRA, said: “Community Pharmacy, along with other healthcare outlets, has a key role to play, both in the promotion of the YC Scheme to the public, as well as continuing to identify and report suspected side effects to us via this Scheme.” According to the MHRA the Yellow Card reports are used to identify side effects and other issues with medicines that might not have been known before. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo48 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=48 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain has announced the appointment of His Honour Judge Mota Singh QC as the new Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee and Patrick Milmo QC as the new Deputy Chairman. Judge Singh (pictured top right), previously the Deputy Chairman of the Society’s Disciplinary Committee, said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as Chairman. The Committee’s work is crucial in ensuring public safety and the maintenance of public confidence as well as high standards across the pharmacy profession.” Patrick Milmo QC (pictured bottom right), commenting on his appointment, said: “This is an interesting role concerned with a profession of increasing influence and importance in the health world. I am looking forward to the challenge.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo49 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=49 The new Medicines Use Review form is now available from the National Pharmacy Association. According to the NPA the form is carbonated, to avoid transcription, saving pharmacists time and comes with “easy to use” guidance. It costs £9.99 and can be purchased from NPA sales on 01727 800401 or through the NPA’s webshop www.npa.co.uk/members/webshop. The NPA said that it is encouraging its members in England to reach the target of 400 MURs per year. The form costs £9.99 and can be purchased from NPA sales on 01727 800401 or through the NPA’s webshop www.npa.co.uk/members/webshop. The NPA are also offering marketing materials which can be downloaded from the campaigns area on the NPA website www.npa.co.uk/members/npa_campaigns.php. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo47 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=47 The National Pharmacy Association has launched a Dispensary Assistant Course (DAC). Completion of the course is intended to allow support staff to progress to NVQ Module 5 without the need to repeat the first four modules. The NPA says: “Trainees save time and employers save money – the price of the DAC course is deducted from the NVQ3 course at enrolment.” The DAC comes in four models that are to be completed within six months of the recipient receiving the modules and the NPA says that the study commitment is an estimated 20 hours per module. The four modules cover introductory workbook, pharmacy practice and procedures, law and ethics and the Drug Tariff. Liam Stapleton, NPA head of education and training said: “The NPA’s DAC provides the minimum mandatory training required in the dispensary. However, once completed, if the individual wishes to develop their skills further they have already completed the first four modules of the NVQ3 course, meaning there is no need for them to go ‘back to basics’.” Registration can be taken by contacting NPA Education and Training on 01727 800402 or training.dept@npa.co.uk Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo46 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=46 AAH Pharmaceuticals, working with Patient Dynamics, are offering pharmacists help undertaking community pharmacy patient questionnaires. A 20 per cent discount will be given to pharmacists until the end of March who sign up to Patient Dynamics, via AAH (Tel: 02476 625256. Pharmacists will receive a “step by step” guide on carrying out the patient questionnaires, a survey system for the questionnaires, posters and “some” pre-paid envelopes for completed questionnaires to be returned to Patient Dynamics. Patient Dynamics says it then collates and analyses the results and produces a report for the pharmacists. The company says that the reports will include strengths and weaknesses, comparisons to similar pharmacies and “advice” on where improvements can be made. Questionnaires can be conducted on paper, online or a combination of the two. Patient questionnaires are a mandatory requirement of the community pharmacy contract and the national template that is to be used was agreed upon by the Department of Health and PSNC. Ajit Malhi, AAH head of marketing services, says: “Undertaking annual patient questionnaires can take up a huge amount of pharmacists valuable time and can be seen as an additional burden. “At AAH we want to make sure that there is support and expert help on hand to make the process as smooth and straight forward as possible.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo36 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=36 Dawn Primarolo, Public Health Minister, announced a £26.8 million “drive to improve young people’s access to contraception” at the launch of a new charity, the Association for Young People’s Health. Funding will be given to local health teams working with women to promote the full range of contraception methods including Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARCs) such as implants and IUS (Intrauterine System). Money will also be given to Strategic Health Authorities to develop “innovative new ways to help women gain access to sexual health advice and contraception”. The ten regional health authorities will be asked to present proposals and if agreed, they could be granted funding. Examples given of the type of initiatives the funding could be used for include offering contraception and information at abortion clinics to prevent repeat abortions and installing condom kiosks in pharmacies. Ms Primarolo (pictured) said: “There is increasing evidence of the key role contraception plays in preventing teenage pregnancy. We need to use this evidence and improve access to the full range of methods of contraception in many areas, particularly those with high and increasing rates of teenage pregnancy and high rates of abortion.” The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has responded to the news of this announcement. David Pruce, director of practice and quality improvement said: “The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain is keen to support government initiatives which widen access to a range of effective methods of contraception. Pharmacists are experts in medicines and other healthcare products and are very experienced in supplying a range of methods of contraception to the public. They use their expertise daily in providing information and advice to women on the effective use of contraception.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo42 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=42 The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee has written to Andrew Lansley, Shadow Secretary of State for Health, in response to a Conservative party press release regarding payments made to pharmacies. The PSNC stated in a letter released today: “It was extremely disappointing to see the press release you issued ‘Government has overpaid pharmacies £811m for dispensing drugs’. This quite erroneously states that ‘this has caused the NHS to spend £811m extra’. This is wrong. The excess profits identified are recovered by the NHS, so a more correct message would have been to record that these profits are used to fund NHS services. The community pharmacy arrangements measure purchase profit income, and adjust prices and, where necessary other payments to pharmacies, to ensure that total payments in the financial year are those agreed with the government. This year, following measurement of purchase profits earned by community pharmacies, a substantial excess profit was identified and in October measures were taken to address this. The prices paid by the NHS for generic medicines were reduced from October, and practice payments to pharmacies were also reduced to recover excess profits earned in the first six months of the year. Similar action was taken in 2006-7 when purchase profits of £300m more than the target level of £500m were identified.” The comments made by Mr Lansley were published in a Conservative party press release issued last week in which it states that Mr Lansley said: “This incompetent Government has mismanaged yet another contract, and this time it has cost the NHS £811 million extra.” The full press release can be viewed on the Conservative party website www.conservatives.com. The PSNC say they have invited Mr Lansley to meet representatives of the committee to discuss this, and other issues of importance to community pharmacy. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo43 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=43 The Government announced today (4 February) the launch of a national campaign to “remind doctors of the problem of antibiotic resistance and make clear to patients that antibiotics will not get rid of the common cold.” The Government said that the “over-use” of antibiotics, in many cases to treat viruses such as colds that cannot be cured using antibiotics, rather than for bacterial infections, is leading to an increase in resistance. Chief Medical Officer, Liam Donaldson said: “The more we take antibiotics when they are not necessary, the more bacteria will become resistant to them. We must all play a part in conserving antibiotics as a valuable clinical resource. Patients can take other remedies to help relieve the symptoms of a cough or cold. Their pharmacist is well placed to give them advice.” Posters and leaflets will appear in GP surgeries and pharmacies and there will also be national advertising in newspapers and magazines. Copies of the posters and leaflets are available at www.nhs.uk/antibiotics. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo27 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=27 Paul Coleman has been appointed as Director of NPA Insurance. Mr Coleman will head up the newly formed NPA Insurance Limited, which was created from the renewal business of Pharmacy Mutual Insurance and the NPA’s Chemists’ Defence Association. Previously, Mr Coleman was the National Development Manager at MMA Insurance plc. He says: “ I was attracted by NPA’s ethos of delivering high value to the membership and the strength of affinity that NPA Insurance has with the pharmacy sector. The organisation is clearly focussed on providing a quality service – I look forward to being part of this and driving the development and expansion of its products and services.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo28 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=28 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has launched a consultation on the types of cases suitable for non-referral to the Investigating Committee. The Society has proposed that the types of cases that are suitable for handling by the Society’s Inspectorate, instead of the Investigating Committee, should be extended. Currently cases that involve single one-off dispensing errors that fall below certain threshold criteria are referred to the Society’s inspectorate. The Society has said it is seeking views on both the current handling of cases and the new proposals. Jeremy Holmes, chief executive and registrar of the society said: “The aim of the threshold criteria is to create a more modern, efficient and transparent regulatory process, and to counter over-regulation. We need to ensure that cases handled by the Society are dealt with in a proportionate and effective manner without compromising patient safety and we believe that the proposals will achieve this.” The consultation is open to any individual or organisation wanting to submit evidence and the consultation will close on 18th April. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo26 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=26 Numark is launching a new trade advertising campaign that will begin in February. The recruitment and retention campaign features a series of case studies of Numark members, with each independent pharmacist talking about an aspect of their business and how being a member of Numark has “helped them”. Director of trade marketing for Numark, Lynne Henshaw (pictured), says: “These advertisements are all about recognising the success of our members ¬– whatever the type or location of their business – and demonstrating how Numark can play a key part in helping them achieve their goals and run their businesses better. “One of the advantages of being a Numark member is having access to other independent pharmacists and hearing about their experiences, tips or even learning from their mistakes.” The campaign will also highlight Numark’s new website www.valueyourindependence.com. The site offers information to independent pharmacists on what Numark offers and how to join. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo24 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=24 Quantum Specials newly built site on Hobson Industrial Estate in Burnopfield, County Durham, has been visited by HRH The Princess Royal. Buckingham Palace reportedly sent the company a letter after the visit stating: “Her Royal Highness was delighted with the tour of the premises meeting employees en-route, and sends her congratulations to everyone involved in making such enormous strides in the business since its formation just over three years ago.” Quantum Specials began trading in 2004 in clean rooms located within Tyne Metropolitan College in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear. The company is said to have achieved a £15m turnover since the start of trading and that it has “grown out” of the college rooms, investing in the Burnopfield site in 2007. The new facility was chosen because of its links to major roads and public transport facilities. Also the site has close proximity to the company’s courier service depot, which the company says, will allow it to have later collection times. According to Quantum Specials up to 500 manufactured specials and between 300 and 400 “re-wholesaled” lines can be despatched from the site. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo25 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=25 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has said it would support moves to make oral contraceptives available over-the counter. David Pruce (pictured), RPSBG director of practice & quality improvement, says: “The RPSGB would support a proposal to reclassify oral contraceptives from prescription only to over-the-counter medicines. “Pharmacists are experts in medicines and have a track record of supplying medicines such as emergency hormonal contraceptive over the counter and through patient group directions. As such, they already have clinical skills and expertise that can help them provide information and advice to women to ensure the appropriate use of oral contraception. Regarding the necessary health checks, such as blood pressure testing and healthy lifestyle checks, these are already a part of pharmacist’s extended role.” These comments from the Society follows the release of research from Oxford University and published in The Lancet, that calls for oral contraceptives to be made available to women over-the-counter. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo21 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=21 The National Pharmacy Association has announced the focus for its 2008 Ask Your Pharmacist campaign. There will be three areas of focus, along with the continuing generic minor ailments messaging, and the areas will be Medicines Use Review, cardiovascular disease and sexual health. The NPA says: “The campaign will explain why the public should ask at the pharmacy and provide them with a focus for questions.” The Association says that member will be provided with support in the “delivery of related services” and members can see a “glimpse” of the support on the NPA’s members website. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo22 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=22 The Pharmacy Practice Research Trust is inviting applications from community pharmacist for the 2008 research training bursary scheme funded by Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust. The scheme is for pharmacists interested in “conducting research relating to everyday pharmacy practice,” says The PPRT. The Bursary scheme has £40,000 annually to fund a variety of projects and the bursaries are available for three levels of work. These levels, according to The PPRT, are: Level One – funding to undertake research modules and a small-scale project; Level Two – funding to upgrade a diploma in Clinical/Community pharmacy to a MSc and Level Three – funding to undertake a non-pharmacy MSc that has relevance to and benefits the world of pharmacy. The deadline for complete applications is 23rd May 2008. The PPRT says they expect the interviews to take place on 3rd July 2008 at the Society’s headquarters in Lambeth, London. For further details, applications and guidance notes contact Beth Allen, Research Programme Co-ordinator, Pharmacy Practice Research Trust, 1 Lambeth High Street, London, SE1 7JN, tel: 020 7572 2466 or email beth.allen@rpsgb.org. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo23 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=23 Celesio have announced that Mark James has been appointed as the new Group Managing Director of AAH Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Wolfgang Maehr, Group Managing Director Celesio Wholesale, says: “I am delighted to confirm Mark as the new MD of AAH. Over 15 years he has held several senior management and board level roles within AAH and there are few others in this sector who possess the depth and breadth of experience which Mark has.” Mark James says: “I am looking forward to building on the strong relationships which AAH already has with both our suppliers and dispensing customers. In the coming year AAH will prove itself to be the most progressive, innovative and customer focused partner in the supply chain”. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo19 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=19 AAH has confirmed that Steve Dunn, managing director and Ian Davidson, finance director, have left the company. Mark James is acting as “interim managing director” and the company says he will continue in this role until an appointment has been made. The decision regarding the appointment of the new managing director will be announced next week, according to AAH. A statement from the company reads: “AAH wants to reassure its customers that it is business as usual; they will continue to receive the same high levels of service and support which they are accustomed to. They will see no change in their commercial relationship with AAH.” Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo17 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=17 The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has launched an Internet Pharmacy Logo as a 'visual tool to help the public identify if a website is being operated by a bona fide pharmacy in Britain'. The logo, a voluntary scheme, will appear on the homepage of participating online pharmacies. It features the 'unique' RPSGB membership number of the pharmacy operating the site and a link from the logo to the Society's registration pages will allow users to check the 'legitimacy' of the website. RPSGB chief executive and registrar, Jeremy Holmes says: 'Pharmacists based in Great Britain are highly trained health care professionals and experts in medicines and can lawfully and safely supply them via the web. The Internet Pharmacy Logo is an important signal of safety and quality'. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo12 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=12 Numark has launched a food intolerance testing service for its members. Mel Shah, who runs Canons Pharmacy in Edgware, was, according to Numark, the first member to take advantage of the service, which is provided by Health Diagnostics. Numark says: 'Unlike most current food intolerance testing systems, the Kymatica system by Health Diagnostics isn't invasive. It uses techniques from forensic science, with the test being based on the unique, infrared, molecular 'fingerprint' of a food, to measure an individual's reaction to that food and identify current or potential problems right there and then.' The pharmacy booked in four customers per hour for the service and there was no shortage of volunteers, Numark says. 'Various intolerances were identified, including some that patients had already been vaguely aware of themselves with minor symptoms such as bloating or headache,' Numark reports. Mr Shah felt the testing had been a success and saw several new people in the pharmacy as a result. During the test, the patient rests two fingers on sensors for two minutes. The testing unit is connected to a computer and the software produces an evaluation of 40 of the most common foods to cause sensitivity reactions. A report is then produced with details of the individual reaction to each of the foods. The pharmacist can then advise the patient on what action to take depending on the results and they can also visit an online 'virtual pharmacist' where the results will be further analysed and food alternatives offered. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo13 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=13 Martyn Lewis (pictured left with Mike Smith), pharmacy manager at the Lewis Pharmacy in Exmouth, Devon, became the first pharmacist in the UK to stage a Coeliac Awareness Day on December 4, according to Unichem. Members of the public went to the pharmacy to undertake a free coeliac test to discover whether or not they might have an intolerance to gluten. Unichem says 'Around one in 100 people have coeliac disease. However, four out of five people don't know they have it and are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis, infertility and cancer if the disease is left unchecked - that's almost 800,000 people in the UK'. Mike Smith, chairman of UniChem, attended the testing day at the pharmacy. He said: 'Diagnostic testing presents a key area for pharmacists and their staff. I would encourage all pharmacists to explore this opportunity. It fits very well with the pharmacy contract and demonstrates to the Department of Health that we really can make a significant contribution to public health'. Mr Lewis was delighted with the number of people who came to the pharmacy for the test and is looking at potentially hosting other diagnostic testing days. The pharmacy used the Biocard Celiac Test on the day. Results are said to be rapid, it taking five to 10 minutes to show whether or not someone is gluten intolerant. Professor Tom MacDonald of Bart's and the London University medical schools, says: 'The test is useful because GPs sometimes fail to diagnose coeliac disease properly and the longer it is left untreated the worse it gets, leading to complications such as anaemia. Coeliac disease is a condition which can be cured with a gluten-free diet, so a person with a positive result can then take immediate action.' Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo14 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=14 John D'Arcy, former chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, has been appointed 'interim managing director' of Numark. He took up the post on January 1. The appointment follows the death of Simon Colebeck, managing director since late 2005, who was appointed to the post after the acquisition of Numark by the Phoenix group. John D'Arcy left the NPA last year to take up an appointment as commercial director of the Rowlands pharmacy chain, part of the Phoenix group (ICP, February, 2007, p10). Commenting on Mr D'Arcy's new appointment, Paul Smith, chief executive officer of Phoenix, said: 'We are all deeply saddened by the untimely loss of Simon Colebeck but delighted we have John to lead Numark through a period of transition. John brings with him the considerable experience of pharmacy'. Speaking to ICP, Mr D'Arcy said that he would probably be doing the Numark job for about 12 months.His biggest task would be 'welding Nucare and Numark together'. Both companies, which are owned by Rowlands, would continue as they were for the foreseeable future, but he would be aiming to iron out duplication and seeking to achieve rationalisation. The overall object would be to support independents and help them perform better by ensuring they got the services they needed. The plan was to get Numark and Nucare working under one banner. But, ultimately, it was for members of the organisations to decide. Though Phoenix was in a position to make decisions about the future of the two companies, it would want members approval for any plans. 'We want to take the members with us,' said Mr D'Arcy. Commenting on the fact that he would be continuing with his Rowlands directorship, he said: 'I'm John 'two jobs' D'Arcy'. He added that a lot of what he did in his Rowlands role, such as marketing and training, also featured in the Numark post. Would he be applying for the Numark MD job on a permanent basis? 'Let's just see how things go,' he replied. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo15 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=15 There should be changes to the government's drug pricing agreement with industry to safeguard pharmacy discounts. That is one of the recommendations made in the Office of Fair Trading Market study of medicines distribution, the report of which has recently been published. The study was sparked by the introduction of direct to pharmacy distribution by some medicines manufacturers. The report says: 'Changes should be made to the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme which would ensure that discounts currently obtained by pharmacies are safeguarded.' It suggests either (1) reducing list prices by an amount equivalent to current pharmacy discounts (its preferred option) or (2) the offering by pharmaceutical suppliers of a minimum list price discount to pharmacies. The OFT also recommends that minimum service levels for pharmacies and patients be agreed between manufacturers and government and that any cost savings arising from lower standards be shared with the NHS. While not recommending a formal investigation under the Competition Act 1998 (CA98), the OFT says that if competition in the sector is reduced in the future through more manufacturers choosing excusive distribution, future intervention by the OFT may be necessary. IPF unconvinced Commenting on the OFT report, Fin McCaul (chairman of the Independent Pharmacy Federation) says: 'We find the proposals of the OFT report astounding given their findings.  'The OFT found that DTP will increase NHS costs, reduce the service levels to patients, have a detrimental impact on pharmacies in both stock holding, staff time and service delivery and remove competition between wholesalers for pharmacy services. These are all the effects that we have been saying for the past 12 months. 'The problem comes with the proposed solutions. Yes they will solve some of the problems; however they will also create bigger problems. 'Most importantly, while recognising that patient care and services have been affected by DTP, the new proposals do nothing to resolve this issue. The OFT and Department of Health have batted the DTP ball between them, neither taking responsibility for the problem, and neither wishing to take on the might of the American giant [Pfizer]. Crucially, we believe a CA98 investigation should have been started now, not just in terms of patient interest, but also, as the report recognises, of a lack of competition and service delivery within the market place. 'The report recognises the benefit that wholesalers bring to the market place and in particular the effect of competition within the sector. The proposed preferred solution will remove this competition and will have the impact of increasing prices further and reducing services to pharmacy and to the patients. 'While the OFT has done an excellent job in researching the problem in such a short space of time, we are disappointed in their conclusions and proposed solutions. If these are taken forward, not only independents, but all of pharmacy and the NHS will loose a very effective, efficient and supportive distribution network which is extremely patient focused. The net result will be a more expensive system with less flexibility, more costs and very little patient focus.' Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT ItemNo16 http://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news-item.cfm?id=16 The National Pharmacy Association has announced that Alison White has 'stepped down' as Chief Executive Officer of the NPA. Ms White joined the NPA as CEO in June of last year and prior to this post held an interim CEO position at Business Link. NPA Chairman, Dilip Joshi says: 'We wish Alison the very best for the future. The NPA is a solid organisation and I have no doubt that the team at the NPA will continue to deliver exceptional service to members'. Sun, 20 May 2012 07:54:45 GMT